Association between BDNF gene polymorphisms and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in school-aged children in Wuhan, China

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is vital for neuronal survival and growth, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. Previous studies examined the role of BDNF in susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study examined the association between BDNF gene polymorphisms and ADHD in Chinese children. Methods: Participants were 195 medication-naive ADHD children and 263 unaffected healthy controls. ADHD symptoms were diagnosed using the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parental Rating Scale according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. Five BDNF single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected using improved multiplex ligation detection reaction. Alleles and genotype frequency were examined using Chi-square tests. Correlations were examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis in the ADHD and control groups. Results: The results revealed that rs12291186 with one or both mutated allele(s) was significantly associated with reduced likelihood of ADHD (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.77) and ADHD-Combined (OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01-0.85). Children with genotype AA or CA in rs10835210 exhibited increased risk of ADHD (OR= 3.29, 95% CI: 1.03-10.55) and ADHD-Combined (OR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.10-17.96) compared with genotype CC children. No significant associations were found between rs6265, rs7103411, rs7103873 polymorphisms and ADHD. Limitations: Participants were recruited from urban areas. We were unable to examine all potential confounding factors. Conclusions: BDNF gene polymorphisms of rs12291186 and rs10835210 were related to the occurrence of ADHD. These findings provide new insight on mechanisms underlying BDNF gene in ADHD.