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Imipramine binding to platelets of children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity

A Weizman1, E Bernhout, R Weitz

  • 1Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Biological Psychiatry
|March 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

This study found no difference in platelet imipramine binding sites between children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADDH) and controls. Methylphenidate treatment for ADDH did not alter these binding values, suggesting no role for the serotonergic system.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADDH) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • The serotonergic system is a potential target for understanding ADDH pathophysiology and treatment.
  • Imipramine binding to platelets serves as a marker for serotonin transporter activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate high-affinity [3H]imipramine binding to platelets in children with ADDH.
  • To compare binding parameters between ADDH children and age-matched controls.
  • To assess the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment on imipramine binding in ADDH.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from 11 boys with ADDH before and after 28 days of MPH treatment.
  • Platelet-rich plasma was used for radioligand binding assays with [3H]imipramine.
  • Binding parameters (Kd, Bmax) were determined and compared between groups and conditions.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in imipramine binding parameters (Kd, Bmax) between ADDH children and normal controls.
  • Methylphenidate treatment did not alter imipramine binding values in ADDH children.
  • Therapeutic effects of MPH were not associated with changes in platelet imipramine binding.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the involvement of the serotonergic system, as measured by platelet imipramine binding, in the pathophysiology of ADDH.
  • The therapeutic efficacy of methylphenidate in ADDH does not appear to be mediated through alterations in the serotonergic system.
  • This study aligns with previous research indicating a limited role for the serotonergic system in ADDH and MPH treatment response.

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