ADD Medication Response May Be Conditioned By Your Genes

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have found that genetic differences might predict the patient’s response to ADD medication, namely stimulant medication.

A study found that children with a variant form of a dopamine transporter gene — a variant known to be associated with ADHD — responded poorly to one of the most common stimulant medications, methylphenidate. The transporter gene encodes a protein on the nerve cell membrane that helps to clear the neurotransmitter dopamine from the nerve junction.

They don’t mention if its just Ritalin or Concerta and Metadate as well, since both are forms of methylphenidate. Focalin is another form of methylphenidate (containing only dextro-methylphenidate, rather than the usual racemic dextro- and laevo-methylphenidate mixture of other formulations) according to the wikipedia entry on methylphenidate.

They’re doing a larger study and are “cautiously optimistic about the prospects.” Dr. Mark Stein, principal investigator of the study specializes in pharmacogenetics – the interaction of drugs and genes.

This is welcome news. Some people with ADD try one medication and if it doesn’t work or if has side effects they give up.

I often say to people if you’re going to try ADD medication, at least give them an honest try. That is, it usually takes people with ADD a period of trial and error to find

A) The right ADD medication or combination of medications

and

B) The right dose

Very few people get the right ADD medication and the right dose right off the bat. So realistic expectations are important when approaching ADD medication.

For more information on ADD medication, talk to your doctor. For ADDers that like to research ADD info online, I have a list of ADD Medication Company Websites on my ADD resource website.