Posted by Shawn. T. on August 2, 2004, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine vs. Dopamine, posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 18:08:22
You might want to check out these pages:
http://www.neurotransmitter.net/adhdda.html
http://www.neurotransmitter.net/adhdne.html
http://www.neurotransmitter.net/adhdgenetic.htmlOne hypothesis about stimulants such as the amphetamines is that they increase the number of spontaneously active dopamine neurons in regions such as the ventral tegmental area (http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/297/2/746 ). A possible result of reduced dopamine function in ADHD could be an intolerance of delays (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14624804&dopt=Abstract); this is consistent with the view that dopamine is involved in activational motivation. In neonatal rats that have had their dopamine neurons lesioned, dopamine D4 receptors increase in number and perhaps induce hyperactivity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11927187&dopt=Abstract). The dopamine D4 receptor and other dopaminergic genes have been associated with ADHD. In general, dopamine may be involved in hyperactive-impulsive behavior while norepinephrine may be more involved in the cognitive aspects of ADHD; however, there may some overlap. Thus, a significant amount of evidence supports the use of stimulant drugs in a subset of the ADHD population. Future research should help to identify tests that could determine whether a person with ADHD would benefit most from a stimulant or non-stimulant drug.
Shawn
poster:Shawn. T.
thread:373267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/373328.html