Posted by zenclearer on August 10, 2003, at 17:31:57
A small, interesting study on Ritalin (MPH) and dopamine receptor down-regulation.
But why does it feel intuitively wrong, meaning, why does one feel so BAD after taking the med for a long period and discontinuing, and feel more dependent rather than more cognitively enhanced when off the med?
Neuropediatrics. 2003 Apr;34(2):77-80. Related Articles, Links
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Methylphenidate down-regulates the dopamine receptor and transporter system in children with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD).Vles JS, Feron FJ, Hendriksen JG, Jolles J, van Kroonenburgh MJ, Weber WE.
Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. jvle@sneu.azm.nl
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.
poster:zenclearer
thread:249864
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249864.html