The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) moderates family environmental effects on ADHD

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Michelle M. Martel, University of New Orleans; Molly Nikolas, Michigan State University; Katherine Jernigan, Michigan State University; Karen Friderici, Michigan State University; Irwin Waldman, Emory University; Joel T. Nigg, Oregon Health and Science University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature): Springer Open Choice Hybrid Journals
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10802-010-9439-5
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
• ISSN: 0091-0627
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1
• End Page: 10
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by NIH National Institute of Mental Health Grants R01-MH63146, MH59105, and MH70542.
• Keywords: Humans; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Genotype; Polymorphism, Genetic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tandem Repeat Sequences; Adolescent; Child; Family Conflict; Female; Receptors, Dopamine D4; Homozygote; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Case-Control Studies; Parenting; Male
• Research Categories: Psychology, Developmental; Biology, Genetics; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies

Abstract

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. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.