Two dopamine genes related to reports of childhood retrospective inattention and conduct disorder symptoms

The 7-repeat allele of the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) and the 10 repe at allele of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) have shown association an d linkage with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood. The parents of ADHD children (clinic group, n = 80 fathers an d 107 mothers) and control children (control group, n = 42 fathers and 51 m others) were the focus of this study. These parents reported retrospectivel y on their level of ADHD Inattention and Conduct Disorder symptoms in adole scence. In analyses of the relation of symptom levels to the DRD4 and DAT1 genotypes, fathers possessing the 7 repeat DRD4 allele had greater levels o f both inattention and conduct disorder symptoms. Mothers with the 10/10 ge notype had higher levels of inattention symptoms. Thus, genetic association s found in children may be replicable in their parents.