A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology has identified amlodipine, a widely used blood pressure medication, as a promising new treatment for ADHD. Researchers conducted experiments on rats bred to exhibit ADHD-like symptoms and tested five different drugs to determine their effects on hyperactivity. Among the tested medications, only amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity in the rats, making it a strong candidate for further investigation.
To validate these findings, the researchers conducted additional experiments using zebrafish, a valuable model for studying brain function due to their genetic similarities with humans, sharing about 70% of human genes. The results showed that amlodipine not only reduced hyperactivity in zebrafish but also decreased impulsivity—two core symptoms of ADHD. Further analysis revealed that amlodipine successfully crosses the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can directly affect brain function. This was a groundbreaking discovery, as it was previously unknown that amlodipine had this capability.
Seeking further evidence, the researchers analyzed human genetic data and found that ADHD is linked to the same calcium channels in the brain that amlodipine targets. This suggests that calcium channel regulation could play a crucial role in ADHD symptoms and may serve as a novel pathway for treatment. To strengthen their findings, the team also examined patient data from a UK-wide health database. They discovered that individuals taking amlodipine reported fewer mood swings and exhibited less risk-taking behavior, further supporting its potential effectiveness in managing ADHD symptoms.
“Repurposing amlodipine, a well-established blood pressure medication, offers a promising and swift pathway to address ADHD symptoms. Our research indicates that, due to its existing approval and safety profile, amlodipine could be rapidly redeployed as a treatment option for ADHD, potentially providing relief to patients sooner than developing new medications.” stated Dr Matthew Parker, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Behavioural Analysis.
Current ADHD medications, though effective, often cause side effects like appetite suppression, high blood pressure, headaches, and sleep disturbances, along with risks of misuse and dependency. With about 25% of ADHD patients not responding well to existing treatments, safer alternatives are needed. Amlodipine, a well-tolerated hypertension drug with a strong safety profile, shows potential as a new ADHD treatment due to its emerging neurological benefits, making it a promising candidate for future research.
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