Dr. Adams
12-08-2006, 05:04 PM
"Researchers have identified a polymorphism that reduces the promoter activity of the human norepinephrine transporter gene and may predispose individuals to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The norepinephrine transporter is known to play a key role in the regulation of norepinephrine levels in the nervous system. In the present study, researchers found that a common polymorphism in the transporter gene, denoted -3081(A/T), is associated with ADHD. The presence of the -3081(T) allele reduced the promotor activity of the transporter gene relative to the A allele, according to the report. Further analysis showed that the T allele interacts with transcription repressors called Slug and Scratch. Moreover, Slug and Scratch were only able to repress the promotor activity of the transporter gene when the T allele was present. The findings suggest that "the anomalous transcription factor-based repression of the (norepinephrine transporter gene) may increase risk for the development of ADHD and other neuropsychiatric diseases," the researchers conclude." Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006