Transcriptomic Dysregulation in Rodent Models of ADHD and Substance Use Suggests Shared Neural Mechanisms
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable and increases the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder (SUD). The self-medication hypothesis of nicotine use in ADHD proposes that patients seek nicotine for its ability to improve ADHD symptoms, and ADHD patients have less success quitting, possibly related to the worsening of ADHD symptoms accompanying withdrawal (Liebrenz et al., 2014). By comparing the transcriptome of rodent models of ADHD with and without amphetamine exposure to rodents with high nicotine preference, the present analysis has led to the identification of novel genes and associated biological pathways differentially expressed in ADHD and nicotine use.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Donna Toufexis
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Transcriptomic Dysregulation in Rodent Models of ADHD and Substance Use Suggests Shared Neural Mechanisms
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable and increases the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder (SUD). The self-medication hypothesis of nicotine use in ADHD proposes that patients seek nicotine for its ability to improve ADHD symptoms, and ADHD patients have less success quitting, possibly related to the worsening of ADHD symptoms accompanying withdrawal (Liebrenz et al., 2014). By comparing the transcriptome of rodent models of ADHD with and without amphetamine exposure to rodents with high nicotine preference, the present analysis has led to the identification of novel genes and associated biological pathways differentially expressed in ADHD and nicotine use.