DAT1 3′‐UTR 9R allele: Preferential transmission in Indian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Genetic alterations in the dopaminergic system are frequently observed in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a 40 bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) has been investigated in different populations. Both significant association and lack of association with the10 repeat allele (10R) of DAT1 VNTR have been reported. Objective of the present investigation was to examine association of this polymorphism with ADHD in Indian children. Genotypic data obtained from ADHD probands (n = 79), their parents (n = 148) and control individuals (n = 153) were analyzed for haplotype-based haplotype relative risk analysis (HHRR), transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), and family-based association test (FBAT). HHRR analysis revealed significant (P = 0.009) transmission of shorter alleles (< or =9R). TDT analysis of informative ADHD families (n = 32) also exhibited highly significant transmission of the shorter alleles (P = 0.002). Further analysis by FBAT showed preferential transmission (P = 0.019) of the 9R allele from parents to ADHD probands. It can be inferred from the data obtained that the DAT1 3'-UTR 9R allele may confer risk of ADHD in the Indian population.