Gene variants association and epigenetic mechanisms with ADHD in family and case-controls
Contact person
Prof. Susanne Walitza
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital
University of Zürich
Prof. Dr. Edna Grünblatt
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital
University of Zürich
Duration
01.08.2016 - on going
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder with a high heritability of up to 80% according to family and twin studies. A wide range of studies investigated candidate genes involved in the dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission system without conclusive results. This project focusses on various candidate genes (e.g. the serotonin- (SERT; SLC6A4), the dopamine-transporter (DAT1, SLC6A3)) and combines these results with possible epigenetic effects (like.g. CpG methylation levels) involved in the pathogenetic mechanism for ADHD.