Biogenic amines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT

Cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] concentrations of Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin were determined in 20 children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], aged 7-14 years, with a mean of 9.6 +/- 0.74 years, 16 males and 4 females to study the possible role of these neurotransmitters in the etiology of this disorder. Ten healthy children of matched age and sex were served as a control group. These children were subjected to clinical and neurological examination, psychometric study including IQ and Conner's rating scale, in addition to biochemical study for detection of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin levels in CSF of these children. The results of this study showed that a] Children with ADHD had IQ scores indistinguishable from those of controls, b] Children with ADHD had higher Conner's scores than normal children, c] CSF levels of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin were significantly lower in children with ADHD than normal children. d] CSF levels of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin correlated negatively with the total Conner's scale of children with ADHD. We concluded that abnormal status of Dopamine and Norepinephrine may play an important role in the etiology of ADHD and Serotonin is responsible, at least in part, for mediating the hyperactive and impulsive behavior of ADHD