332 | id == 332
332 | category_id == 20
332 | category_order == 17
332 | category_name == Attention
332 | category_color == #C47AC0
332 | slug == SLC6A3-ADHD
332 | title == A Genetic Link Between Dopamine and ADHD (SLC6A3)
332 | meta_description == SLC6A3 codes for a protein that removes dopamine. Variants of SLC6A3 have been associated with ADHD. Read more here.
332 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>SLC6A3</em> gene codes for the dopamine transporter: a protein that removes dopamine from the brain. Variants of <em>SLC6A3</em> have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD and its associated symptoms. Read more to learn how you can reduce the impact of these variants.</strong></p>
332 | overall_score_text == Your ADHD Score (based on SLC6A3 gene)
332 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/SLC6A3-DAT1-ADHD.jpg
332 | author_id == 14
332 | author_name == Shany Lahan
332 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
332 | author_order == 5
332 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
332 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
332 | reviewer == None
332 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
332 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
332 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
332 | publish_date == 2020
332 | publish_date == 9
332 | publish_date == 15
332 | avg_rating == 5.0
332 | tags_id == 30
332 | tags_name == ADHD
332 | tags_id == 56
332 | tags_name == Attention
332 | tags_id == 708
332 | tags_name == DAT1 Gene
332 | tags_id == 51
332 | tags_name == Dopamine
332 | tags_id == 709
332 | tags_name == Dopamine Transporter
332 | tags_id == 697
332 | tags_name == Impulsivity
332 | tags_id == 707
332 | tags_name == SLC6A3 Gene
332 | permissions_favorite == False
332 | permissions_rate == False
332 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC6A3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for the dopamine transporter: a protein that removes dopamine from the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger essential to emotion regulation.<br /><br /></span><span>Variants of </span><em><span>SLC6A3 </span></em><span>have been associated with an increased risk of ADHD and its associated symptoms.<br /><br /></span>Lifestyle and supplement modifications can counteract the effects of these variants by increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain.&nbsp;</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em> and ADHD</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/slc6a3/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC6A3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for a protein that transports </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/dopamine-definition-excess/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> into cells. Among many other functions, dopamine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that is important in emotion regulation [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/SLC6A3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11864719/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dysfunctions of the dopamine system have been linked to ADHD, a developmental disorder in which impulsivity and inattention are common symptoms [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11864719/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The dopamine transporter is the target of commonly-prescribed medications for ADHD. These medications can physically block the transporter so that less dopamine is transported into cells and more dopamine is available in the brain [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15950014/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC6A3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with increased risk of ADHD, as well as increased impulsivity and inattention in individuals with ADHD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19506906/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19576958/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18802919"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20800641/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the mechanism behind this association is not clear, it is possible that these variants may increase the density of the dopamine transporter in certain regions of the brain. This would decrease the amount of dopamine available in these brain regions, giving rise to ADHD and its associated symptoms [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10649826/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10609822/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your <em>SLC6A3</em> Results for ADHD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*2011587732380568*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Primary SNP</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em></strong> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs6347/"><strong>rs6347</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased risk of ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Important SNPs</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em></strong> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs11564750/"><strong>rs11564750</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Increased risk of ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em></strong> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs27072/"><strong>rs27072</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Increased risk of ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em></strong> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2550948/"><strong>rs2550948</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased impulsivity in ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>SLC6A3</em></strong> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs27048/"><strong>rs27048</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Increased inattention in ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*9535069133315592*</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Recommendations for Improving ADHD Symptoms</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*8925494165483197*</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC6A3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene are likely to promote ADHD and its related symptoms by increasing dopamine transporter density.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is therefore probable that decreasing production of the dopamine transporter may counteract the effects of these variants.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, low levels of the dopamine transporter in certain regions of the brain have been associated with various disorders and diseases, such as Parkinson&rsquo;s disease [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9048712/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959557/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By aiming to increase dopamine levels in general, you can avoid the negative effects associated with high or low amounts of the dopamine transporter.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many studies have demonstrated that </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">physical exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may have significant benefits on cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28917364/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a rat model of ADHD, exercise was found to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain. Rats subjected to this exercise intervention also experienced reductions in hyperactivity and learning deficits [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21907264/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Children and adolescents with ADHD experienced improvements in attention, behavior, and cognitive function after taking part in various exercise programs [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724411/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21432590"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837978"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise can reduce symptoms associated with ADHD by increasing the amount of dopamine.</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sun Exposure</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Individuals with ADHD are often deficient in </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27924679/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29457493/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The best source of vitamin D is the sun [</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Light exposure and direct supplementation with vitamin D have both been shown to increase dopamine levels in the blood [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31269890/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a clinical study of children with ADHD, vitamin D was found to improve symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29457493/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Sun exposure can reduce symptoms associated with ADHD by increasing the amount of dopamine.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/depression-treatment/#1_Cognitive_Behavioral_Therapy_CBT"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cognitive-behavioral therapy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may increase dopamine levels in the brain. It improved ADHD in multiple studies of adults and adolescents [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365259/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633586/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18091195"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26629933"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633586/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18091195"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938293/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155481/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with &ldquo;junk food&rdquo; cravings have impaired dopamine functions in the brain. Studies have associated poor attention and worse ADHD symptoms with increased consumption of refined sugar, fried foods, and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/is-salt-good-or-bad-the-science-on-the-health-effects-of-salt/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">salt</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3124340/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5101548/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22999993"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1945637"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></strong></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Zinc</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ADHD patients are often deficient in the mineral </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">zinc</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8682903"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8959299"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc is able to block the dopamine transporter from transporting dopamine into cells, as well as promote the release of dopamine from cells via the dopamine transporter [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11940571/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14680760/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both of these actions can increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, thus lowering the necessary dose and amplifying the effects of common ADHD medications [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416663/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23021477/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplementation with zinc has been shown to reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention in individuals with ADHD [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14687872"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15070418"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Zinc can reduce the symptoms of ADHD by acting on the dopamine transporter to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a comprehensive list of ways to increase dopamine, </span></em><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ways-to-increase-and-decrease-dopamine/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">click here</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></em></p>
332 | content_snp_table_2011587732380568_key == 2011587732380568
332 | content_snp_table_2011587732380568_blur == True
332 | content_snp_table_2011587732380568_hidden == False
332 | content_learn_more_9535069133315592_key == 9535069133315592
332 | content_learn_more_9535069133315592_blur == True
332 | content_learn_more_9535069133315592_hidden == False
332 | content_learn_more_9535069133315592_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your SLC6A3 gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop ADHD and its associated symptoms. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of ADHD; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, sun exposure, and zinc supplements may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
332 | content_recommendation_8925494165483197_key == 8925494165483197
332 | content_recommendation_8925494165483197_blur == True
332 | content_recommendation_8925494165483197_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs27072,rs6347,rs11564750,rs27048,rs2550948
rsStatus = rs27072,SLC6A3,chr5,1394407,C,A,T,,19,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs6347,SLC6A3,chr5,1411297,T,C,,,12,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs11564750,,chr5,1447647,G,C,T,,22,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs27048,SLC6A3,chr5,1412530,C,A,G,T,16,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2550948,,chr5,1450329,C,T,,,17,2,HET
