ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample

Ulrike M. Krämer; Nuria Rojo; Rebecca Schüle; Toni Cunillera; Ludger Schöls; Josep Marco-Pallarés; David Cucurell; Estela Camara; Antoni Rodriguez-Fornells; Thomas F. Münte

doi:10.1186/1471-2202-10-150

ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample

Ulrike M. Krämer, Nuria Rojo, Rebecca Schüle, Toni Cunillera, Ludger Schöls, Josep Marco-Pallarés, David Cucurell, Estela Camara, Antoni Rodriguez-Fornells, Thomas F. Münte^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Clinic of Neurology

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background:
Dopamine is believed to be a key neurotransmitter in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several recent studies point to an association of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and this condition. More specifically, the 7 repeat variant of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in exon III of this gene is suggested to bear a higher risk for ADHD. In the present study, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in the modulation of neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition (Go/Nogo task) in a healthy, high-functioning sample.

Results:
Homozygous 7 repeat carriers showed a tendency for more accurate behavior in the Go/Nogo task compared to homozygous 4 repeat carriers. Moreover, 7 repeat carriers presented an increased nogo-related theta band response together with a reduced go-related beta decrease.

Conclusions:
These data point to improved cognitive functions and prefrontal control in the 7 repeat carriers, probably due to the D4 receptor's modulatory role in prefrontal areas. The results are discussed with respect to previous behavioral data on this polymorphism and animal studies on the impact of the D4 receptor on cognitive functions.

Original language	English
Article number	150
Journal	BMC Neuroscience
Volume	10
ISSN	0306-4522
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2202-10-150
Publication status	Published - 20.12.2009

Research Areas and Centers

Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1186/1471-2202-10-150

Cite this

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title = "ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample",

abstract = "Background:Dopamine is believed to be a key neurotransmitter in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several recent studies point to an association of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and this condition. More specifically, the 7 repeat variant of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in exon III of this gene is suggested to bear a higher risk for ADHD. In the present study, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in the modulation of neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition (Go/Nogo task) in a healthy, high-functioning sample.Results:Homozygous 7 repeat carriers showed a tendency for more accurate behavior in the Go/Nogo task compared to homozygous 4 repeat carriers. Moreover, 7 repeat carriers presented an increased nogo-related theta band response together with a reduced go-related beta decrease.Conclusions:These data point to improved cognitive functions and prefrontal control in the 7 repeat carriers, probably due to the D4 receptor's modulatory role in prefrontal areas. The results are discussed with respect to previous behavioral data on this polymorphism and animal studies on the impact of the D4 receptor on cognitive functions.",

author = "Kr{\"a}mer, {Ulrike M.} and Nuria Rojo and Rebecca Sch{\"u}le and Toni Cunillera and Ludger Sch{\"o}ls and Josep Marco-Pallar{\'e}s and David Cucurell and Estela Camara and Antoni Rodriguez-Fornells and M{\"u}nte, {Thomas F.}",

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doi = "10.1186/1471-2202-10-150",

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T1 - ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample

AU - Krämer, Ulrike M.

AU - Rojo, Nuria

AU - Schüle, Rebecca

AU - Cunillera, Toni

AU - Schöls, Ludger

AU - Marco-Pallarés, Josep

AU - Cucurell, David

AU - Camara, Estela

AU - Rodriguez-Fornells, Antoni

AU - Münte, Thomas F.

PY - 2009/12/20

Y1 - 2009/12/20

N2 - Background:Dopamine is believed to be a key neurotransmitter in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several recent studies point to an association of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and this condition. More specifically, the 7 repeat variant of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in exon III of this gene is suggested to bear a higher risk for ADHD. In the present study, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in the modulation of neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition (Go/Nogo task) in a healthy, high-functioning sample.Results:Homozygous 7 repeat carriers showed a tendency for more accurate behavior in the Go/Nogo task compared to homozygous 4 repeat carriers. Moreover, 7 repeat carriers presented an increased nogo-related theta band response together with a reduced go-related beta decrease.Conclusions:These data point to improved cognitive functions and prefrontal control in the 7 repeat carriers, probably due to the D4 receptor's modulatory role in prefrontal areas. The results are discussed with respect to previous behavioral data on this polymorphism and animal studies on the impact of the D4 receptor on cognitive functions.

AB - Background:Dopamine is believed to be a key neurotransmitter in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several recent studies point to an association of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and this condition. More specifically, the 7 repeat variant of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in exon III of this gene is suggested to bear a higher risk for ADHD. In the present study, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in the modulation of neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition (Go/Nogo task) in a healthy, high-functioning sample.Results:Homozygous 7 repeat carriers showed a tendency for more accurate behavior in the Go/Nogo task compared to homozygous 4 repeat carriers. Moreover, 7 repeat carriers presented an increased nogo-related theta band response together with a reduced go-related beta decrease.Conclusions:These data point to improved cognitive functions and prefrontal control in the 7 repeat carriers, probably due to the D4 receptor's modulatory role in prefrontal areas. The results are discussed with respect to previous behavioral data on this polymorphism and animal studies on the impact of the D4 receptor on cognitive functions.

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ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample

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Inhibitory control functions in the prefrontal cortex

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ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample

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Inhibitory control functions in the prefrontal cortex

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