Sexually dimorphic effects of four genes (COMT, SLC6A2, MAOA, SLC6A4) in genetic associations of ADHD: a preliminary study.

ABSTRACT: A growing body of literature finds gender differences in ADHD. However, little is known about the causes of these differences. One possibility is that ADHD risk genes have sexually dimorphic effects. We have investigated four ADHD candidate genes (COMT, SLC6A2, MAOA, SLC6A4) for which there is evidence of sexually dimorphic effects. Past neurobiological and genetic studies suggest that COMT, and SLC6A4 variants may have a greater influence on males and that SLC6A2, and MAOA variants may have a greater influence on females. Our results indicate that genetic associations are stronger when stratified by sex and in the same direction as the previous neurobiological studies indicate: associations were stronger in males for COMT, SLC6A4 and stronger in females for SLC6A2, MAOA. Moreover, we foun

SUBMITTER: Biederman J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2587524 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature