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Role of Serotonin in the Paradoxical Calming Effect of Psychostimulants on Hyperactivity

Science
15 Jan 1999
Vol 283, Issue 5400
pp. 397-401

Abstract

The mechanism by which psychostimulants act as calming agents in humans with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or hyperkinetic disorder is currently unknown. Mice lacking the gene encoding the plasma membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) have elevated dopaminergic tone and are hyperactive. This activity was exacerbated by exposure to a novel environment. Additionally, these mice were impaired in spatial cognitive function, and they showed a decrease in locomotion in response to psychostimulants. This paradoxical calming effect of psychostimulants depended on serotonergic neurotransmission. The parallels between the DAT knockout mice and individuals with ADHD suggest that common mechanisms may underlie some of their behaviors and responses to psychostimulants.

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This work was supported in part by grant MH-40159 from NIH and unrestricted gifts from Bristol Myers Squibb and Zeneca Pharmaceuticals (to M.G.C.). M.G.C. is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. R.R.G. was a recipient of a fellowship from the Tourette Syndrome Association and is a visiting researcher from the Institute of Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Baltiyskaya 8, 125315 Moscow, Russia.

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Published In

Science
Volume 283 | Issue 5400
15 January 1999

Submission history

Received: 26 August 1998
Accepted: 4 December 1998
Published in print: 15 January 1999

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Authors

Affiliations

Raul R. Gainetdinov
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
William C. Wetsel
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Sara R. Jones
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Edward D. Levin
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Mohamed Jaber*
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Marc G. Caron
R. R. Gainetdinov, S. R. Jones, M. Jaber, M. G. Caron, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laboratories, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. W. C. Wetsel, Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Endocrinology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. E. D. Levin, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Notes

*
Present address: CNRS UMR5541, University of Bordeaux II Victor Segalen, 146 Rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: [email protected]

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