Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs
As with humans, dogs can suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like (ADHD-like) behaviors naturally and exhibit high levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and attention deficit problems, making the domestic dog a potential animal model for ADHD. ADHD has a very complex pathophysiology i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/6/1037 |
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| author | Ángela González-Martínez Susana Muñiz de Miguel Noemi Graña Xiana Costas Francisco Javier Diéguez |
| author_facet | Ángela González-Martínez Susana Muñiz de Miguel Noemi Graña Xiana Costas Francisco Javier Diéguez |
| author_sort | Ángela González-Martínez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As with humans, dogs can suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like (ADHD-like) behaviors naturally and exhibit high levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and attention deficit problems, making the domestic dog a potential animal model for ADHD. ADHD has a very complex pathophysiology in which many neurotransmitters are involved, such as serotonin and dopamine. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum serotonin and dopamine levels in dogs with ADHD-like symptomatology. Fifty-eight dogs were studied, of which, thirty-six were classified as ADHD-like after physical and behavioral assessments. Additionally, the dogs’ owners performed a series of scientifically validated questionnaires which included C-BARQ, the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale, and the Dog-ADHD rating scale. Serum from every animal was collected after the behavioral assessments and analyzed with commercial ELISA tests for serotonin and dopamine determination. Kruskal–Wallis tests and Lasso regressions were applied to assess the relationships between both neurotransmitters and the ADHD-like behaviors (as assessed by clinical evaluation and through the different questionnaires). The dogs clinically classified as ADHD-like showed lower serotonin and dopamine concentrations. Further, serotonin and dopamine levels were also linked to aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Decreased serotonin concentrations were also related to fear, attachment, and touch sensitivity. Finally, it must be noted that our data suggested a strong relationship between serotonin and dopamine and ADHD-like behaviors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:01:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f0b0d4c3fef4a14816ac59d40a0ff79 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:01:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f0b0d4c3fef4a14816ac59d40a0ff792023-11-17T09:11:27ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-03-01136103710.3390/ani13061037Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like DogsÁngela González-Martínez0Susana Muñiz de Miguel1Noemi Graña2Xiana Costas3Francisco Javier Diéguez4VTH Rof Codina, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002 Lugo, SpainVTH Rof Codina, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002 Lugo, SpainLar do Belelle, Canine Center, 15509 Fene, SpainEtoloxía, Behavior Medicine Service, 36312 Pontevedra, SpainAnatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences Department, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002 Lugo, SpainAs with humans, dogs can suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like (ADHD-like) behaviors naturally and exhibit high levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and attention deficit problems, making the domestic dog a potential animal model for ADHD. ADHD has a very complex pathophysiology in which many neurotransmitters are involved, such as serotonin and dopamine. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum serotonin and dopamine levels in dogs with ADHD-like symptomatology. Fifty-eight dogs were studied, of which, thirty-six were classified as ADHD-like after physical and behavioral assessments. Additionally, the dogs’ owners performed a series of scientifically validated questionnaires which included C-BARQ, the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale, and the Dog-ADHD rating scale. Serum from every animal was collected after the behavioral assessments and analyzed with commercial ELISA tests for serotonin and dopamine determination. Kruskal–Wallis tests and Lasso regressions were applied to assess the relationships between both neurotransmitters and the ADHD-like behaviors (as assessed by clinical evaluation and through the different questionnaires). The dogs clinically classified as ADHD-like showed lower serotonin and dopamine concentrations. Further, serotonin and dopamine levels were also linked to aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Decreased serotonin concentrations were also related to fear, attachment, and touch sensitivity. Finally, it must be noted that our data suggested a strong relationship between serotonin and dopamine and ADHD-like behaviors.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/6/1037attention deficitcaninehyperactivity behaviorLasso regressionneurotransmitters |
| spellingShingle | Ángela González-Martínez Susana Muñiz de Miguel Noemi Graña Xiana Costas Francisco Javier Diéguez Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs Animals attention deficit canine hyperactivity behavior Lasso regression neurotransmitters |
| title | Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs |
| title_full | Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs |
| title_fullStr | Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs |
| title_short | Serotonin and Dopamine Blood Levels in ADHD-Like Dogs |
| title_sort | serotonin and dopamine blood levels in adhd like dogs |
| topic | attention deficit canine hyperactivity behavior Lasso regression neurotransmitters |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/6/1037 |
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