ADHD risk alleles associated with opiate addiction: study of addicted parents and their children

Abstract

Background: Polymorphisms in genes such as DAT1, 5HTTLPR, D4DR4, and MAO-A have been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and susceptibility for opiate addiction. We investigated in opiate-addicted parents and their children the rate of ADHD and genetic markers that could predict susceptibility to ADHD and/or opiate addiction. Methods: We studied 64 heroin-addicted, methadone-maintained parents, and their 94 children who had or had not been exposed prenatally to opiates. DNA extracted from mouthwash was assessed for genetic polymorphism for six polymorphic sites of four different genes. Study subjects also filled a variety of questionnaires assessing the rate of ADHD in the parents and children and the children's intelligence quotient. results: Children of opiate-dependent mothers had a higher rate of ADHD compared to those of the opiate-dependent fathers. Opiate-dependent parents have a high risk of being carriers of most risk alleles examined except DRD4EX3 (allele 7). There was no difference whether the addicted parents had or did not have ADHD. conclusions: Serotonergic and dopaminergic risk alleles seem to be mainly related to opiate dependence with no effect on the occurrence of ADHD. People carrying those polymorphisms are susceptible to opioid addiction and not necessarily to ADHD.

Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children With Prenatal Drug Exposure

“…12,61 In a recent review, The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that "There is no known absolutely safe quantity, frequency, type, or timing of alcohol consumption during pregnancy." 12 However, to what extent low to moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy is causal to cognitive and behavioral impairments observed in exposed children is still debated.…”

“…59 Similar high rates of attention problems/ADHD in prenatally opioid-exposed children have been reported in several more recent studies. 60,[66][67][68] In the Maternal Life Style Study, a large prospective, multisite study of a high-risk population, prenatal opioid exposure was not associated with mental, motor, or behavioral deficits in infants through three years of age after controlling for birth weight and environmental risks, including other drug exposures. 69 In 2008 Hunt et al…”

“…Paper III: Prenatal opioids have been consistently associated with high rates of attentional problems and ADHD in exposed children, 59,60,[66][67][68]78 also in studies trying to account for the impact of genetic vulnerabilities and postnatal environmental influences. 59,66 Executive dysfunction is regarded a key factor in the complex neuropsychology of ADHD, 142 and impaired executive functions have been demonstrated in children with prenatal opioid exposure.…”

“…59,66 Executive dysfunction is regarded a key factor in the complex neuropsychology of ADHD, 142 and impaired executive functions have been demonstrated in children with prenatal opioid exposure. 77 Working memory and selective attention are executive functions crucial for normal cognitive function, and most likely implicated in the neurodevelopmental impairments reported in prenatally opioid-exposed children.…”

“…77 Although a causal link between prenatal opioids and ADHD is not established, increased risk of attention problems and ADHD has been repeatedly reported in prenatally opioid-exposed groups. 59,60,66 It is therefore not surprising that impaired executive function was found in the opioid-exposed group, as most of these children were diagnosed with ADHD, and executive dysfunction is associated with ADHD. 142 However, group differences in task performance were in general small, and were no longer significant after adjustment for birth weight.…”