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Noradrenergic mechanisms in ADHD children with and without reading disabilities: A replication and extension

  • Jeffrey M. Halperin
  • , Jeffrey H. Newcorn
  • , Vivian H. Koda
  • , Lawrence Pick
  • , Kathleen E. McKay
  • , Peter Knott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine noradrenergic (NA) function in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by replicating and expanding upon a previous finding that ADHD children with and without reading disabilities (RD) differ in plasma levels of the NA metabolite 3-methoxy-4- hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Method: Plasma levels of MHPG were compared in ADHD children who were subdivided on the basis of the presence or absence of RD. Subsequently, this replication sample was combined with a previously studied sample to further explore the relationship between plasma MHPG levels and measures of cognitive function in children with ADHD. Results: Plasma revels of MHPG were significantly lower in ADHD children without RD, compared with those with RD, replicating a previously published finding. Analyses in the combined sample indicated that, among children with ADHD, plasma MHPG levels were inversely associated with measures of academic achievement and verbal processing, but not parent or teacher ratings of behavior or continuous performance test measures of attention and impulsivity. Conclusions: These data indicate that children with ADHD are not homogeneous with regard to NA function and that neurochemical variation is closely associated with differences in clinical characteristics of the children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1688-1697
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume36
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1997

Keywords

  • 3-melhoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
  • Attention-deficit hyperectivity disorder
  • Children
  • Norepinephrine
  • Reading disability

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