DOI: 10.69601/meandrosmdj.1791577 ISSN: 2149-9063

An Approach to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder from the Perspective of Hypoxia and Apoptosis: CASP3, HIF1A, and VDR Gene Expression

Reyhan Tahtasakal, Halime Dana, Melike Kevser Gül, Esra Demirci, Elif Funda Şener
Show PDF Cite
Aim: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The combination of environmental and genetic factors plays a role in the etiology of ADHD. Caspase-3 (CASP3) is a cysteine-aspartate protease that performs apoptosis. After overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF1A) due to hypoxia, the cell enters apoptosis via a caspase-dependent cascade. It has been observed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is also fragmented and inactivated by caspases during apoptosis. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between VDR, HIF1A, and CASP3 gene expressions in ADHD. Materials and Methods: Forty patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study to assess the gene expression profiles. Results: HIF1A and CASP3 expressions were significantly higher in ADHD children, but there was no appreciable change in the VDR gene expression between ADHD children and healthy participants. In addition, HIF1A and CASP3 were also found to be higher in boys with ADHD. Conclusion: Our findings provide new information to the literature to shed light on the hypoxia and apoptosis cascade in ADHD.

More from our Archive