Variation in an Iron Metabolism Gene Moderates the Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Joel T Nigg; Alexis L Elmore; Neil Natarajan; Karen H Friderici; Molly A Nikolas

doi:10.1177/0956797615618365

Back

Variation in an Iron Metabolism Gene Moderates the Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Variation in an Iron Metabolism Gene Moderates the Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Joel T Nigg, Alexis L Elmore, Neil Natarajan, Karen H Friderici and Molly A Nikolas

Psychological science, Vol.27(2), pp.257-269

02/2016

DOI: 10.1177/0956797615618365

PMCID: PMC4919074

PMID: 26710823

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615618365View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental condition, there is also considerable scientific and public interest in environmental modulators of its etiology. Exposure to neurotoxins is one potential source of perturbation of neural, and hence psychological, development. Exposure to lead in particular has been widely investigated and is correlated with neurodevelopmental outcomes, including ADHD. To investigate whether this effect is likely to be causal, we used a Mendelian randomization design with a functional gene variant. In a case-control study, we examined the association between ADHD symptoms in children and blood lead level as moderated by variants in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene. The HFE gene regulates iron uptake and secondarily modulates lead metabolism. Statistical moderation was observed: The magnitude of the association of blood lead with symptoms of ADHD was altered by functional HFE genotype, which is consistent with a causal hypothesis.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - blood

Genetic Predisposition to Disease

Genetic Association Studies

Lead Poisoning - blood

Humans

Male

Iron - metabolism

Case-Control Studies

Validation Studies as Topic

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - genetics

Lead - blood

Hemochromatosis Protein - genetics

Adolescent

Female

Lead Poisoning - genetics

Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Child

Details

Title: Subtitle: Variation in an Iron Metabolism Gene Moderates the Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children
Creators: Joel T Nigg - Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University niggj@ohsu.edu
Alexis L Elmore - Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa
Neil Natarajan - Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University
Karen H Friderici - Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University
Molly A Nikolas - Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychological science, Vol.27(2), pp.257-269
DOI: 10.1177/0956797615618365
PMID: 26710823
PMCID: PMC4919074
NLM abbreviation: Psychol Sci
ISSN: 1467-9280
eISSN: 1467-9280
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R37-MH59015 / NIMH NIH HHS R37 MH059105 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH070004 / NIMH NIH HHS R01-MH099064 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH099064 / NIMH NIH HHS R01-MH070004 / NIMH NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2016
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984002438102771

Metrics

19 Record Views

30 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details