Methylphenidate down-regulates the dopamine receptor and transporter system in children with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD).
Adults suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are known to have disturbed central dopaminergic transmission. With Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) we studied brain dopamine transporter and receptor activity in six boys with ADHD. Three months after initiation of treatment with methylphenidate we found a down-regulation of the post-synaptic dopamine receptor with a maximum of 20 % and a down-regulation of the dopamine transporter with a maximum of 74.7 % in the striatal system. This corresponded to a positive clinical response evaluated by neuropsychological questionnaires and tests. We suggest that dopamine transporter imaging by SPECT might be used to monitor psychostimulant treatment in children suffering from ADHD.
Vles
J S H
JS
Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. jvle@sneu.azm.nl
Feron
F J M
FJ
Hendriksen
J G M
JG
Jolles
J
J
van Kroonenburgh
M J P G
MJ
Weber
W E J
WE
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D008774:Methylphenidate