Blood MiRNA Levels Associated with ADHD Traits in Children Across Six European Birth Cohorts

Overview

Journal BMC Psychiatry

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2023 Sep 25

PMID 37749515

Authors

Lene B Dypas

Nur Duale

Ann-Karin Olsen

Mariona Bustamante

Lea Maitre

Georgia Escaramis

Jordi Julvez

Sofia Aguilar-Lacasana

Sandra Andrusaityte

Maribel Casas

Marina Vafeiadi

Regina Grazuleviciene

Barbara Heude

Johanna Lepeule

Jose Urquiza

John Wright

Tiffany C Yang

Martine Vrijheid

Kristine B Gutzkow

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent and highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder of major societal concern. Diagnosis can be challenging and there are large knowledge gaps regarding its etiology, though studies suggest an interplay of genetic and environmental factors involving epigenetic mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers of human pathology and novel therapies, and here we aimed to identify blood miRNAs associated with traits of ADHD as possible biomarker candidates and further explore their biological relevance.

Methods: Our study population consisted of 1126 children (aged 5-12 years, 46% female) from the Human Early Life Exposome study, a study spanning six ongoing population-based European birth cohorts. Expression profiles of miRNAs in whole blood samples were quantified by microarray and tested for association with ADHD-related measures of behavior and neuropsychological functions from questionnaires (Conner's Rating Scale and Child Behavior Checklist) and computer-based tests (the N-back task and Attention Network Test).

Results: We identified 29 miRNAs significantly associated (false discovery rate < .05) with the Conner's questionnaire-rated trait hyperactivity, 15 of which have been linked to ADHD in previous studies. Investigation into their biological relevance revealed involvement in several pathways related to neurodevelopment and function, as well as being linked with other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders known to overlap with ADHD both in symptomology, genetic risk, and co-occurrence, such as autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. An additional three miRNAs were significantly associated with Conner's-rated inattention. No associations were found with questionnaire-rated total ADHD index or with computer-based tests.

Conclusions: The large overlap of our hyperactivity-associated miRNAs with previous studies on ADHD is intriguing and warrant further investigation. Though this study should be considered explorative and preliminary, these findings contribute towards identifying a set of miRNAs for use as blood-based biomarkers to aid in earlier and easier ADHD diagnosis.

Citing Articles

Advances in the etiology and neuroimaging of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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PMID: 38915870 PMC: 11194347. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1400468.

Expression Patterns of miRNAs in Egyptian Children with ADHD: Clinical Study with Correlation Analysis.

Zeidan H, Nashaat N, Hemimi M, Hashish A, Elsaeid A, Abd El-Ghaffar N J Mol Neurosci. 2024; 74(2):46.

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