Evaluating dopamine reward pathway in ADHD: clinical implications.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)--characterized by symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity--is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder that frequently persists into adulthood, and there is increasing evidence of reward-motivation deficits in this disorder.

Objective

To evaluate biological bases that might underlie a reward/motivation deficit by imaging key components of the brain dopamine reward pathway (mesoaccumbens).

Design, setting, and participants

We used positron emission tomography to measure dopamine synaptic markers (transporters and D(2)/D(3) receptors) in 53 nonmedicated adults with ADHD and 44 healthy controls between 2001-2009 at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Main outcome measures

We measured specif

SUBMITTER: Volkow ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2958516 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature