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Evidence linking ADHD symptoms, psychostimulants, and dopamine pathways has been reported in neuroimaging studies (JW Psychiatry Nov 1 1999) and genetic studies (JW Psychiatry Aug 21 2006). Disruptions in “reward pathway” dopaminergic areas have also been associated with substance use disorders (JW Psychiatry Oct 23 2006). These researchers used comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and PET scanning of dopamine D2/D3 receptors and the dopamine transporter (DAT) to examine relationships among ADHD, dopamine receptors and DAT, attention, and reward pathways.
The participants were 53 medication-naive adults with ADHD (mean age, 31; 68% male) and 44 healthy controls (mean age, 32; 51% male). Severity of ADHD (inattention type, 57%; hyperactive o…