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.
ADHD - SPECT - methylphenidate