Psychiatry Investig.  2018 Mar;15(3):306-312. 10.30773/pi.2017.07.24.

The Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Gene -1291C/G Single Nucleotide Polymorphism is Associated with the Efficacy of Methylphenidate in Treating Taiwanese Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Huang HC
• Wu LS
• Yu SC
• Wu BJ
• Lua AC
• Lee SM
• Liu CZ

• KMID: 2429160
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2017.07.24

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The therapeutic effect of methylphenidate (MPH) in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been related to the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) gene -1291C/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). We investigated the effect of MPH in treating Taiwanese children and adolescent with ADHD and its relation to the ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP.
METHODS
The subjects with DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis underwent a titration period to find out the dose of MPH for maintenance treatment. After 4 weeks maintenance treatment, the effect of MPH was evaluated by the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham version IV total scores. The subjects with more than 25% score reduction were referred to responders and those with ≥50% improvement were considered as better responders. The -1291C/G variant of the ADRA2A gene was identified by DNA sequencing and what relevance it has to the MPH response was examined by binary logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
Of the 59 subjects, 44 (74.6%) were responsive to MPH treatment and the responsiveness was not shown to be associated with the ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP. As the responsive subjects were categorized as moderate responders and better responders and subjected to statistical analysis, the GG homozygotes showed a greater chance to have a better response to MPH treatment than CC homozygotes (p=0.02), with an odds ratio of 32.14 (95% CI=1.64-627.80).
CONCLUSION
The ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP is associated with the efficacy of MPH for the treatment of ADHD in Taiwanese children and adolescents. The responsive subjects bearing homozygous -1291G allele are more likely to have a better response to MPH treatment.

Keyword

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor; Methylphenidate; Pharmacogenetics

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Alleles
Child*
Diagnosis
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Homozygote
Humans
Logistic Models
Methylphenidate*
Odds Ratio
Pharmacogenetics
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2*
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Methylphenidate
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2