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The role of DCDC2 genetic variants and low socioeconomic status in vulnerability to attention problems

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Abstract

Both genetic and socio-demographic factors influence the risk for behavioral problems in the developmental age. Genetic studies indicate that shared genetic factors partially contribute to behavioral and learning problems, in particular reading disabilities (RD). For the first time, we explore the conjoint role of DCDC2 gene, an identified RD candidate gene, and socioeconomic status (SES) upon behavioral phenotypes in a general population of Italian children. Two of the most replicated DCDC2 markers [i.e., regulatory element associated with dyslexia 1 (READ1), rs793862] were genotyped in 631 children (boys = 314; girls = 317) aged 11–14 years belonging to a community-based sample. Main and interactive effects were tested by MANOVA for each combination of DCDC2 genotypes and socioeconomic status upon emotional and behavioral phenotypes, assessed by Child Behavior Check-List/6–18. The two-way MANOVA (Bonferroni corrected p value = 0.01) revealed a trend toward significance of READ1(4) effect (F = 2.39; p = 0.016), a significant main effect of SES (F = 3.01; p = 0.003) and interactive effect of READ1(4) × SES (F = 2.65; p = 0.007) upon behavioral measures, showing higher attention problems scores among subjects ‘READ1(4+) and low SES’ compared to all other groups (p values range 0.00003–0.0004). ANOVAs stratified by gender confirmed main and interactive effects among girls, but not boys. Among children exposed to low socioeconomic level, READ1 genetic variant targets the worst outcome in children’s attention.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Grant R.F.2002-2003N. 182 from the Italian Ministry of Health. We thank all the parents and children who took part and collaborated with this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute ‘Eugenio Medea’, Don L. Monza 20, 23842, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy

    Valentina Riva, Cecilia Marino, Massimo Molteni & Maria Nobile

  2. Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute ‘Eugenio Medea’, Don L Monza 20, 23842, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy

    Roberto Giorda

  3. Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Québec, Canada

    Cecilia Marino

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, Canada

    Cecilia Marino

  5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, via Roma 16, 22032, Albese con Cassano, CO, Italy

    Maria Nobile

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  1. Valentina Riva
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  2. Cecilia Marino
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  3. Roberto Giorda
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  4. Massimo Molteni
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Correspondence to Valentina Riva.

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Riva, V., Marino, C., Giorda, R. et al. The role of DCDC2 genetic variants and low socioeconomic status in vulnerability to attention problems. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 24, 309–318 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0580-5

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