The dopaminergic hypothesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder needs re-examining.
Although psychostimulants alleviate the core symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), recent studies confirm that their impact on the long-term outcomes of ADHD children is null. Psychostimulants enhance extracellular dopamine. Numerous review articles assert that they correct an underlying dopaminergic deficit of genetic origin. This dopamine-deficit theory of ADHD is often based upon an overly simplistic dopaminergic theory of reward. Here, I question the relevance of this theory regarding ADHD. I underline the weaknesses of the neurochemical, genetic, neuropharmacological and imaging data put forward to support the dopamine-deficit hypothesis of ADHD. Therefore, this hypothesis should not be put forward to bias ADHD management towards psychostimulants.
Gonon
Francois
F
University of Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 5227, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Bordeaux, F-33076, France. francois.gonon@u-bordeaux2.fr
D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011582:Psychological Theory
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004298:Dopamine