The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) moderates family environmental effects on ADHD.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prime candidate for exploration of gene-by-environment interaction (i.e., G x E), particularly in relation to dopamine system genes, due to strong evidence that dopamine systems are dysregulated in the disorder. Using a G x E design, we examined whether the DRD4 promoter 120-bp tandem repeat polymorphism, previously associated with ADHD, moderated the effects of inconsistent parenting and marital conflict on ADHD or Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD). Participants were 548 children with ADHD and non-ADHD comparison children and their parents. Homozygosity for the DRD4 promoter 120-bp tandem repeat insertion allele increased vulnerability for ADHD and ODD only in the presence of inconsistent parenting and appeared to increase susceptibility to the influence of increased child self-blame for marital conflict on ADHD inattention. DRD4 genotypes may interact with these proximal family environmental risk factors by increasing the individual's responsivity to environmental contingencies.
Martel
Michelle M
MM
Psychology Department, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive; 2005 Geology & Psychology Building, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. mmartel@uno.edu
Nikolas
Molly
M
Jernigan
Katherine
K
Friderici
Karen
K
Waldman
Irwin
I
Nigg
Joel T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics
C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4