DRD4, ADHD

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent disorder of early childhood. It affects an estimated 3-6% of elementary school children. ADHD individuals may have abnormal release of dopamine resulting in a "dopamine deficit" that leads to cognitive as well as behavioral problems. Technology: University of California, Irvine researchers have done molecular genetic work on the Dopamine Receptor D4 (DRD4). Their work suggests that the DRD4 7R "risk allele" may produce a genocopy of the disorder (ADHD), which is a partial syndrome with behavioral excesses but not cognitive deficits. The true syndrome may be due to minimal brain damage (MBD) as a consequence of fetal distress that results in hypoxia and hypotension and may have selective effects on dopamine systems of the brain. Application: A molecular genetic test using the DRD4 would identify potential "false positive" diagnoses, individuals who have behavioral excesses but not cognitive deficits. A concurrent blood/urine/saliva test may be used to characterize dopamine release to identify individuals with the neurochemical deficit.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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