Integrating Genetic and Single-Cell Genomic Data to Reveal Brain Cell-Specific Regulation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Risk in the Prefrontal Cortex

Introduction

The risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may involve genetic regulation by specific brain cells in the prefrontal cortex, but the causal associations are currently unclear.

Methods

We integrated single-cell cis-expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTLs) from the prefrontal cortex with ADHD genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Using Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian colocalization analyses, we assessed how brain cell-specific gene expression regulation affects ADHD susceptibility. We also examined the association between brain cell-type proportion and ADHD risk and used bioinformatics analyses to explore risk gene functions and identify potential drug-repurposing targets.

Results

Single-cell eQTL MR analysis revealed that brain cell-specific gene regulation was causally linked to ADHD risk. For example, astrocyte-specific VIM expression was significantly associated with increased ADHD risk (β = 0.167, SE = 0.0388, p = 1.63 × 10⁻⁵). Further MR analysis of ADHD subtypes revealed that certain associations exhibited stronger causal effects in childhood, late-diagnosed, or persistent ADHD. Bayesian colocalization analysis further supported 24 unique genes, including VIM in astrocytes (PPH4 = 90.8%), which showed strong evidence of shared genetic signals with ADHD. The proportions of inhibitory neurons and oligodendrocytes in the prefrontal cortex were associated with specific ADHD subtypes. Bioinformatics analyses showed that risk genes were enriched in certain brain cell types and pathways relevant to ADHD pathogenesis, aligning with MR findings.

Conclusion

Our results identify 24 cell-specific genes in the prefrontal cortex that may mediate ADHD risk and highlight promising molecular targets for therapeutic development.