Abstract for presentation at International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions Congress

The relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, disruptive behaviour symptoms and monoamine oxidase B in platelets

  • Kerstin Malmberg, Dept of woman and child health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
  • Hanna-Linn Wargelius, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Pharmacology, Biomedical Center, Sweden
  • Paul Lichtenstein, Dept of medical epidemiology and biostatistics, Karolinska Insitutet, Sweden
  • Lars Oreland, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Pharmacology, Biomedical Center, Sweden
  • Jan-Olov Larsson, Dept of woman and child health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

    • Introduction: The etiology of ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and DBD (Disruptive behaviour disorders) is not fully understood. Family, twin and adoption studies give support for a strong genetic basis to these behavioural disorders, especially ADHD. Pharmacological and genetic studies suggest the importance of the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic systems in the pathogenesis of ADHD and DBD. Monoamine oxidases B (MAO-B) degrade biogenic amines such as dopamine and serotonin and thereby control the levels of these neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Several studies report a connection between a low level of platelet MAO-B and personality traits related to ADHD and DBD such as impulsiveness sensation seeking and monotony avoidance.
    Aim: To study the relationships between MAO-B in platelets, ADHD and DBD.
    Subjects/Methods: A population based sample including 247 individuals, on average 15.9 yrs, 140 girls and 107 boys, were recruited from the Swedish twin registry. The children and at least one parent was interviewed with Kiddie-Sads Present and Lifetime Version (KSADS-PL). Blood samples were analyzed for MAO-B in platelets.
    Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between a low MAO-B in platelets and DBD in girls especially symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder. We found no relationship between MAO-B and ADHD.
    Conclusion: The association between DBD and a low level of platelet MAO-B activity in girls support the hypothesis that MAO-B is a biological marker of vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd