The polymorphism rs17268988 within the X-linked <i>STS</i> gene is associated with inattentive, but not other, symptoms in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, in ADHD males, variation at rs17268988 was associated with inattentive symptoms, while variation within STS was significantly associated with performance on three cognitive measures.
These results are consistent with the hypothesis arising from previous literature demonstrating that boys with deletions of the STS gene, and hence no STS protein are at a significantly increased risk of developing ADHD.
We conclude that the STS gene may play a role in susceptibility for ADHD, and that the neurosteroids pathways should be investigated further to access their potential contribution in susceptibility to the disorder.