Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BP) are neuropsychiatric disorders that can have deleterious lifetime impact. Several candidate genes for these disorders have emerged, but functionally significant variants have not yet been identified and replications are sparse. Our premise is that elucidating the genetic basis of these complex disorders will benefit from analysis of more parsimonious and less heterogeneous endophenotypes. Impaired response inhibition (Rl) (i.e., difficulty suppressing automatic or already initiated responses) is a promising candidate endophenotype for multiple disorders. We propose that the genes that influence Rl contribute to ADHD and BP susceptibility through effects on the brain systems mediating inhibitory control, and that most of these have been undetected by previous studies using syndromal status as the phenotypic target. Therefore, we plan a study on the biological bases of impaired Rl, in a large sample (n=2000) of healthy subjects drawn from greater Los Angeles. We will administer a battery of Rl and impulsivity-spectrum neurocognitive and self-report measures, analyzing the phenotypes and identifying composite measures through data reduction efforts, including those of the WGS project in this consortium. We will first identify candidate SNPs in a whole genome association study of the entire sample, and conduct fine mapping analyses to refine the localization of the most significant associations. We will then select well-validated candidate SNPs to genotype in clinical samples that exhibit Rl deficits (n =100 each, ADHD & BP) and 200 matched controls, and test for associations with brain structure and function using MRI. Although there are no validated candidate genes pf moderate to large effect in humans for either Rl phenotypes or the diseases for which they are relevant, substantial evidence indicates that dopamine systems, and D2 dopamine receptors in particular, are important for expression of Rl. However, the specific neural systems that mediate D2-dependent modulation of Rl are unknown. We will therefore use a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAG) rescue strategy to evaluate the role of D2 dopamine receptors (via Drd2 gene expression) within components of corticostriatal circuitry that mediates Rl in mice. Importantly, these studies do not examine the role for DrD2 as a candidate gene for ADHD or BP, rather, we propose that O2-mediated neuromodulation of corticostriatal circuitry is a candidate mechanism by which genes (still undiscovered) converge to elicit their effects on Rl. Rl deficits are central to ADHD, BP and other disorders (e.g., drug addiction, obesity) that are of public health concern and are resistant to current therapies. Clarifying the bases of Rl, at genetic and neural systems levels, can advance treatment for these prevalent and often life-threatening disorders.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 47 publications
