Cross-species models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder: lessons from CNTNAP2, ADGRL3, and PARK2

Elisa Dalla Vecchia; Niall Mortimer; Viola S Palladino; Sarah Kittel-Schneider; Klaus-Peter Lesch; Andreas Reif; Annette Schenck; William H J Norton

doi:10.1097/YPG.0000000000000211

Cross-species models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder: lessons from CNTNAP2, ADGRL3, and PARK2

Psychiatr Genet. 2019 Feb;29(1):1-17. doi: 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000211.

Authors

Elisa Dalla Vecchia¹, Niall Mortimer^{2

3

4}, Viola S Palladino⁵, Sarah Kittel-Schneider⁵, Klaus-Peter Lesch^{2

6

7}, Andreas Reif⁵, Annette Schenck⁸, William H J Norton¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
² Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Centre of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg.
³ Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
⁶ Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
⁷ Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht.
⁸ Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Animal and cellular models are essential tools for all areas of biological research including neuroscience. Model systems can also be used to investigate the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this review, we provide a summary of animal and cellular models for three genes linked to ADHD and ASD in human patients - CNTNAP2, ADGRL3, and PARK2. We also highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each model system. By bringing together behavioral and neurobiological data, we demonstrate how a cross-species approach can provide integrated insights into gene function and the pathogenesis of ADHD and ASD. The knowledge gained from transgenic models will be essential to discover and validate new treatment targets for these disorders.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology*
Autism Spectrum Disorder / physiopathology*
Disease Models, Animal
Drosophila
Humans
Membrane Proteins / metabolism
Mice
Models, Biological
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
Zebrafish

Substances

CNTNAP2 protein, human
Membrane Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
parkin protein