Urinary Catecholamine Excretion and Behavioral Differences in ADHD and Normal Boys

Abstract

Urinary catecholamine excretion was assessed in 15 boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 16 normal controls during a defined physical and mental task. Dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) concentrations were assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The urinary concentration of DOPEG, an NE metabolite that has not been previously measured in ADHD, was significantly lower in the ADHD subjects than in the normal controls. There was also a trend for lower urinary EPI levels in the hyperactive boys. Stepwise multiple regression analyses demonstrated that DOPEG and EPI each contributed significantly to the variance in the behavioral symptoms within the full sample. The results are consistent with previous reports of abnormal metabolism of norepinephrine and epinephrine in ADHD. These neurochemical findings may be due to differences between ADHD and normal boys in neuronal (central or peripheral) or nonneuronal (e.g., adrenal, renal) activity. The results are also consistent with prior findings in normal children of an inverse relationship between EPI excretion and inattentive, restless behaviors. Together, these findings suggest caution in ascribing metabolite changes to ADHD or to ADHD-like behaviors that may be seen in normal children.

Catecholamine Response to Exercise in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…This is in agreement with previous studies, for example, Hanna and et al (24), Pliszka et al (25), and Anderson et al (4) who found substantially lower rates of EPI excretion in urine during cognitive testing in subjects with ADHD. These observations are consistent with earlier studies correlating academic performance and EPI excretion (26).…”

Adrenomedullary function is severely impaired in 21‐hydroxylase‐deficient mice

“…Epinephrine has been reported to play an important role in tonic regulation of arousal, reward, and sensitivity to environmental stimuli and subjective well‐being (66, 67). It is a critical factor in mental task performance and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (68–70). Therefore, it is possible that a defect in epinephrine production is responsible for the high frequency of language/learning disabilities in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (5, 71).…”

Comprehensive Phenotype/Genotype Analyses of the Norepinephrine Transporter Gene (SLC6A2) in ADHD: Relation to Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy

“…[9] These studies reinforced the early evidence from neurochemical research that NE is involved in ADHD. [10], [11] Neuroimaging [12] and animal studies [13] have provided further evidence for the role of NE in ADHD.…”