Do candidate genes discriminate patients with an autism spectrum disorder from those with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and is there an effect of lifetime substance use disorders?

Abstract

Objective. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are developmental disorders that overlap in a number of domains, sometimes complicating clinical distinction between both disorders. Although there is some evidence for a genetic overlap, there are no reports on genes that could differentiate between ASD and ADHD. Furthermore, it is not known whether this genetic overlap is influenced by co-morbid substance use disorders (SUD). Methods. A total of 110 adult patients with ASD (n=61) or ADHD (n=49) with or without a lifetime history of SUD participated in a study in which we genotyped polymorphisms in five known candidate genes for (one of) the disorders, i.e. the 5HTTLPR in SLC6A4/5-HTT, rs1800497 (TaqIA C>T) in DRD2, rs7794745 in CNTNAP2, rs1843809 in TPH2, and rs6565113 in CDH13. Genotyping was by Taqman-based analysis or by simple sequence length analysis, where appropriate. Results. ASD could be differentiated from ADHD with nominal statistical significance by the 5HTTLPR, and the polymorphisms in TPH2 and CNTNAP2. The results were independent of lifetime SUD status. Conclusions. Serotonergic genes could prove to play an important role in differentiating between ASD and ADHD, but the results of this exploratory study need replication.

Key words::

• Genetics
• autism
• ADHD
• substance-related disorders

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the effort that was so generously made by all participants of this study, and by the cooperation we received from the Dimence Institute of Mental Health. In particular we would like to mention Marlies Naber and Angelien Heister who performed the genotyping.

Statement of Interest

Dr Bram Sizoo reports no conflict of interests. Professor Wim van den Brink reports no conflict of interests related to the current manuscript. Dr Barbara Franke reports no conflict of interests related to the current manuscript. Dr Alejandro Arias Vasquez reports no conflict of interests. Dr Patricia van Wijngaarden-Cremers has received funding for RCT's from Eli Lilly and Jansen Cilag. She is an advisor for Eli Lilly and Jansen Cilag, but reports no conflict of interests related to the current manuscript. Professor Rutger Jan van der Gaag has received funding for RCTs from Eli Lilly and Jansen Cilag. He is an advisor for Eli Lilly and Jansen Cilag, but reports no conflict of interests related to the current manuscript.