Investigation on the possible relationship existing between the HLA-DR gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or mental retardation

• Published in: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology Vol. 21; no. 4; p. 985
• Main Authors: Aureli, A, Sebastiani, P, Del Beato, T, Marimpietri, A, Melillo, V, Sechi, E, Di Loreto, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-10-2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alleles; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - genetics; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - immunology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Gene Frequency; HLA-DR Antigens - genetics; Humans; Intellectual Disability - genetics; Intellectual Disability - immunology; Intellectual Disability - psychology; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Polymerase Chain Reaction
• ISSN: 0394-6320
• DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100423

This study examines the possible relationship existing between the HLA-DR gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or mental retardation (MR). The diagnosis of ADHD and mental retardation were established through clinical interviews with the parents, children and teachers, according to the criteria in DSM-IV. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed both by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) and by sequence based typing (SBT) in a cohort of 81 affected children and a sample of 100 healthy controls. Here, we report a positive association of HLA-DR4 with ADHD but not with MR. The study adds confirmation to the role of the HLA-DRB1 in the etiology of some types of childhood neuropsychiatric illnesses.