Methylphenidate Down-Regulates the Dopamine Receptor and Transporter System in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD)

J. S. H. Vles; F. J. M. Feron; J. G. M. Hendriksen; J. Jolles; M. J. P. G. van Kroonenburgh; W. E. J. Weber

doi:10.1055/s-2003-39602

Neuropediatrics, Table of Contents

Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(2): 77-80
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39602

Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Methylphenidate Down-Regulates the Dopamine Receptor and Transporter System in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD)

J. S. H. Vles¹ , F. J. M. Feron³ , J. G. M. Hendriksen¹ , J. Jolles⁵ , M. J. P. G. van Kroonenburgh⁴ , W. E. J. Weber²

¹Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
²Department of Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
³The Youth Health Care of the Municipal Health Centre, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
⁴Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
⁵Department of Neuropsychology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Abstract

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.

Key words

ADHD - SPECT - methylphenidate

Full Text

References

1 Castellanos F X, Giedd J N, Marsh W L, Hamburger S D, Vaituzis A C, Dickstein D P. et al . Quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996; 53 607-616
2 Dougherty D D, Bonab A A, Spencer T J, Rauch L, Madras B K, Fischmann A J. Dopamine transporter density in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Lancet. 1999; 354 2132-2133
3 Dougherty D D, Bonab A A, Spencer T J, Rauch S L, Madras B K, Fischman A J. Dopamine transporter density in patients with ADHD. Lancet. 2000; 355 1461-1462
4 Ilgin N, Senol S, Gucuyener K, Gokcora N, Atavci S, Sener S. Is increased D2 receptor availability associated with response to stimulant medication in ADHD. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2001; 43 755-760
5 Krause K H, Dresel S H, Krause J, Kung H F, Tatsch K. Increased striatal dopamine transporter in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: effects of methylphenidate as measured by single photon emission computed tomography. Neuroscience Letters. 2000; 285 107-110
6 Spalletta G, Pasini A, Pau F, Guido G, Menghini L, Caltagirone C. Prefrontal blood flow dysregulation in drug naive ADHD children without structural abnormalities. J Neural Transm. 2001; 108 1203-1216
7 Swanson J M, Flodman P, Kennedy J, Spence M A, Moyzis R, Schue S. et al . Dopamine genes and ADHD. Neuroscience Biobehavior Rev. 2000; 24 21-25
8 Swanson J M. Dopamine-transporter density in patients with ADHD. Lancet. 2000; 355 1461

Prof. Dr. J. S. H. Vles

Dept. Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht

PO Box 5800

6202 AZ Maastricht

The Netherlands

Email: jvle@sneu.azm.nl