Discovery of genes prominent in ADHD and SUDs: A meta-analysis and review

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neuropsychiatric condition characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with a high prevalence among school-aged children. Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are often comorbid with ADHD, yet the genetic linkages between these two disorders are not well understood. This study aims to fill the research gap by performing a meta-analysis on seven existing Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) datasets using PLINK 1.9 software to explore the genetic commonalities between ADHD and SUDs. Prior studies have identified separate genetic markers for each disorder, but comprehensive research examining the overlap between these two conditions remains scarce. Our meta-analysis identified multiple significant Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and associated genes that are relevant to both ADHD and SUDs. These genes exhibited significant p-values, underlining their potential role in the comorbid genetic landscape of these conditions. The findings of this study provide novel insights into the shared genetic etiology of ADHD and SUDs and suggest promising avenues for future research and potential therapeutic interventions.