Diamine Oxidase (DAO) Gene Variants in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Study Summary: Diamine Oxidase (DAO) Gene Variants in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

This pilot study investigates the prevalence of genetic variants of the AOC1 gene, which affect the activity of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), in a sample of 303 children and adolescents diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Key Findings:

1. Prevalence of Genetic Variants: 78.8% of participants had at least one minor allele associated with DAO deficiency.

No direct relationship was found between ADHD severity and DAO deficiency, but significant associations were observed between some AOC1 gene variants and various medical comorbidities, such as migraines and intestinal colic.

2. Associations with Intelligence Quotient (IQ):

◦ A strong relationship was found between DAO activity and IQ, especially in working memory. DAO deficiency-related AOC1 gene variants appear to influence certain cognitive abilities in children and adolescents with ADHD.

3. Clinical Implications:

◦ The results suggest that some AOC1 gene variants may have an impact on medical comorbidities and cognitive function in ADHD patients, highlighting the need for further research with larger samples to confirm these preliminary findings.

Conclusions:

This study suggests a possible connection between genetic variants affecting DAO activity and the development of medical comorbidities and cognitive impairments in children and adolescents with ADHD. Further studies are recommended to explore the relationship between histamine, the DAO enzyme, and ADHD.

This summary may serve to understand the aims and key findings of the study on the relationship between DAO genetics and ADHD.