Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the most common behavioral disorder in childhood, is estimated to affect three to five percent of people in the United States, both children and adults. Treatment typically involves a combination of behavior modification, educational interventions, and medication. A variety of medications is available for treatment of ADHD; the most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants or antidepressants. However, there currently is no way to tell in advance which medication will be most helpful for a particular individual.
National Institutes of Health inventors Maximillian Muenke, Mauricio Arcos-Burgos, and F. Xavier Castellanos have identified haplotypes of latrophilin 3 (LPHN3) that increase the susceptibility for development of ADHD. LPHN3 is a G-protein coupled receptor that is specifically expressed in the brain's mesolimbic system, which is associated with ADHD. The invention describes methods of identifying LPHN3 haplotypes in an individual for determining susceptibility for development of ADHD. Identification of LPHN3 haplotypes in an ADHD-affected individual may also make possible individualized drug treatment plans.
Applications: Identifying individuals with enhanced susceptibility for ADHD; using LPHN3 haplotype information to design individualized treatments.
Licensing Status: Available
Licensing Contact: Tara Kirby, Ph.D.; 301-435-4426; tarak@mail.nih.gov
