Dopamine Transporter Gene and ADHD
One of the key features of personalized medicine will be the ability to tailor drug treatment to suit each person’s genetically determined metabolic rate. In a study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who carried a less common form of the dopamine transporter gene did not respond as well to Ritalin (methylphenidate), one of the most popular medications for ADHD. (Newswise, August 17, 2005)
The dopamine transporter gene is involved in regulating the amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, that remains in the nerve junction where signaling occurs between nerve cells. Among 47 children with ADHD, most had one or two copies of the 10R variant of the dopamine transporter gene and responded well to high dosages of Ritalin. Children with two copies of the 9R variant, however, did not respond to Ritalin as favorably. Researchers plan to see whether other drugs will be more suitable for carriers of the 9R variant.
“Pharmacogenetics has great promise in ADHD, since the effects of medication range from a dramatic positive effect in many individuals while a minority display side effects or do not respond,” Dr. Mark Stein, principal investigator of the study and director of the Hyperactivity, Attention, and Learning Problems Clinic, said.
“Since ADHD often runs in families, it seems likely that genetics may play a large role in predicting medication response. But we’re not yet at the point that we can use these findings in clinical practice. The hope is that eventually we can identify someone who is likely to benefit from a specific dose or at risk of having a severe side effect who could be treated more successfully with a different treatment approach.”
Perhaps this finding can also help adults and adolescents who are addicted to Ritalin and taking it for non-medical purposes.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease
.gif)
0 opinions for Dopamine Transporter Gene and ADHD
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: