Dopamine transporter in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder normalizes after cessation of methylphenidate

F.J.M. Feron; J.G. Hendriksen; M.J.P.G. van Kroonenburg; C. Blom-Coenjaerts; A.G.H. Kessels; J. Jolles; W.E.J. Weber; J.S.H. Vles

doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2005.04.008

Dopamine transporter in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder normalizes after cessation of methylphenidate

F.J.M. Feron^*, J.G. Hendriksen, M.J.P.G. van Kroonenburg, C. Blom-Coenjaerts, A.G.H. Kessels, J. Jolles, W.E.J. Weber, J.S.H. Vles

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, which is frequently treated with methylphenidate. The short-term response to treatment with methylphenidate is a substantial decrease in dopamine transporter density, with improvement in neuropsychological tests. In this study, single-photon emission computed tomography was used to investigate possible long-term alterations in the cerebral dopamine system after cessation of treatment with methylphenidate in five children with ADHD. Three months after initiation of treatment with methylphenidate, a reduction of the dopamine transporter in the striatal system was observed. Methylphenidate was administered for a period of 9 to 20 months. Follow-up with single-photon emission computed tomography after withdrawal of methylphenidate medication disclosed an increase of dopamine transporter activity comparable with pretreatment values. The observed upregulation of dopamine transporter activity might support the assumption that methylphenidate does not lead to permanent damage of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	179-83
Journal	Pediatric Neurology
Volume	33
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2005.04.008
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2005

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title = "Dopamine transporter in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder normalizes after cessation of methylphenidate",

abstract = "Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, which is frequently treated with methylphenidate. The short-term response to treatment with methylphenidate is a substantial decrease in dopamine transporter density, with improvement in neuropsychological tests. In this study, single-photon emission computed tomography was used to investigate possible long-term alterations in the cerebral dopamine system after cessation of treatment with methylphenidate in five children with ADHD. Three months after initiation of treatment with methylphenidate, a reduction of the dopamine transporter in the striatal system was observed. Methylphenidate was administered for a period of 9 to 20 months. Follow-up with single-photon emission computed tomography after withdrawal of methylphenidate medication disclosed an increase of dopamine transporter activity comparable with pretreatment values. The observed upregulation of dopamine transporter activity might support the assumption that methylphenidate does not lead to permanent damage of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. ",

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AU - Blom-Coenjaerts, C.

AU - Kessels, A.G.H.

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