The dopamine transporter: relevance to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The dopamine transporter is elevated in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with healthy controls [Lancet 354 (1999) 2132]. The findings have been confirmed by others in a different population using a different probe for the dopamine transporter. Notwithstanding the need to confirm these findings in a multi-center trial, several hypotheses are presented to account for these observations. A premise that elevated transporter levels result from medication is not supported by current data. Other possibilities, including hypertrophy of dopamine neuronal terminals in the striatum, dysfunctional regulation of dopamine or dopamine receptors, or anomalies in the dopamine transporter gene are presented as hypotheses. The feasibility of exploring these mechanisms in animal models or in human subjects is explored.
Madras
Bertha K
BK
Department of Psychiatry, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, 1 Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772-9102, USA. bertha_madras@hms.harvard.edu
Miller
Gregory M
GM
Fischman
Alan J
AJ
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins