Abstract
Gene polymorphisms of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) are under discussion as potential genetic risk factors for hyperkinetic disorder (HD). In this disorder, treatment with the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) induces calming effects and amelioration in only 70% of the patients. MPH blocks the reuptake of dopamine, thus enhancing synaptic dopamine which in turn antagonizes the release of prolactin (PL). Genotyping HD patients for DRD4 and 5-HTT polymorphisms and measuring PL concentrations, we report on an association between the combination DRD4*7/5HTT LL genotype and a reduced improvement in general functioning accompanied by different PL levels upon MPH treatment. Thus, our study supports the hypothesis that marker gene polymorphism may be helpful in identifying MPH non-responders.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy*
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / genetics*
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Carrier Proteins / genetics
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Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use*
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Child
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Genetic Markers
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Genotype
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Humans
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Transport Proteins*
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Methylphenidate / therapeutic use*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins*
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Polymorphism, Genetic*
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Predictive Value of Tests
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Prolactin / blood
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Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics
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Receptors, Dopamine D4
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Risk Factors
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Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
Substances
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Carrier Proteins
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Central Nervous System Stimulants
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DRD4 protein, human
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Genetic Markers
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, Dopamine D2
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SLC6A4 protein, human
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Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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Receptors, Dopamine D4
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Methylphenidate
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Prolactin