Genetic code change linked to hyperactivity disorder in children
A tiny genetic fault has been discovered that almost triples the chances of a child being hyperactive. The single-letter change in the genetic code is linked to a multi-function brain protein that helps to balance excitability and...
A tiny genetic fault has been discovered that almost triples the chances of a child being hyperactive.
The single-letter change in the genetic code is linked to a multi-function brain protein that helps to balance excitability and inhibition.
Children with the defective gene are 2.7 times more at risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The behavioural condition affects around five per cent of schoolchildren, leading to hyperactivity, impulsiveness and an inability to concentrate or complete tasks.
Although there are suspected genetic links to ADHD, the mechanisms underlying the disorder remain largely unknown.
The new research identifies a gene called GIT1 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein - 1) as an important player in ADHD.
Understanding how genes such as GIT1 influence ADHD could lead to the development of new drug treatments or other kinds of therapy for the disorder.
The researchers targeted the GIT1 gene in a study of 388 Korean children, 192 of whom had ADHD, looking for defective versions.
They found that children with the CT version of the gene were 2.7 times more susceptible to ADHD than those with the CC version.
A paper on the research, led by Eunjin Kim, from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Daejeon, South Korea, has been published online in the journal Nature Medicine.