Gamechanging New Study Identifies The Cause of ADHD

Recent scientific advancements have brought us closer to unraveling the mystery of the specific genes implicated in ADHD.

Although ADHD has been recognized to have a genetic basis, the specific genes implicated have been challenging to identify. However, recent advancements have brought us closer to unraveling this mystery.Israeli scientists have successfully pinpointed a particular gene, CDH2, which seems to be significantly involved in the progression of ADHD.

The CDH2 gene encodes N-cadherin, a protein crucial for facilitating brain synapse activity and formation. Through their investigation, the researchers discovered that a mutation in CDH2 disrupts this activity, influencing molecular pathways and dopamine levels within two specific brain regions associated with ADHD: the ventral midbrain and the prefrontal cortex.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka-University Medical Center conducted the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Nature Communications. Using CRISPR technology, the team introduced a specific mutation into corresponding mouse genes, resulting in hereditary hyperactivity. The mice exhibited ADHD symptoms in 15 different behavioral tests, establishing them as a dependable model for investigating the disorder.

“This finding is a major step forward in our understanding of the genetic basis of ADHD,” said Prof. Ohad Birk, one of the authors of the study. “In addition to the scientific importance of finding a clear delineation of a novel genetic basis and molecular pathways for ADHD, both the mutant human cells and the mouse strain carrying the human mutation can serve as an effective model system for the discovery of novel medications for ADHD."

The study could have significant implications for the treatment and management of ADHD. While the disorder is typically treated with medication, such as stimulants and non-stimulants, these can have significant side effects, including decreased appetite, insomnia, and mood swings. The discovery of CDH2 as a key gene involved in ADHD could lead to the development of more targeted and effective treatments.

Further studies have already been initiated by the Birk team at BGU’s National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), to explore the molecular pathways involved in ADHD and to develop new treatments based on this knowledge. The team is also working to identify other genes involved in ADHD, and to understand how environmental factors may interact with genetic predisposition to affect the development of the disorder.

Halperin, D., Stavsky, A., Kadir, R. et al. CDH2 mutation affecting N-cadherin function causes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in humans and mice. Nat Commun 12, 6187 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26426-1. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26426-1#citeas