Dopamine Transporter Gene and Dopamine D2, D3, D4 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean populations with functional polymorphisms of six genes dopamine receptors (Ser311/Cys311 polymorphism, Taq1 A polymorphism, and Taq1 B polymorphism in DRD2, BalI polymorphism in DRD3, and promoter -521 C/T polymorphism and exon III 48 bp repeat polymorphism in DRD4) and one gene in dopamine transporter (DAT1). METHODS: Participants were 58 children with ADHD and 110 control children. The genotypes were determined by PCR. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency of -521 C/T polymorphism within the promoter region of the DRD4 between two groups. Furthermore, in the male group, both genotype and allele frequencies showed statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study indicate that -521 C/T polymorphism in promoter region of DRD4 appears to be a possible candidate gene for ADHD in Korean population.