Work

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

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 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: 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.

Source: Brain and Behavior

DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70664

Authors: Jiawei Gui, Ziyi Xia, Keqi Wan, Xiangli Dong, Weiming Sun

Institutions: Nanchang University, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

Language: English

Topic: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,630