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The correlation between striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability and verbal intelligence quotient in healthy volunteers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2005

JIN FU GUO
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
YEN KUANG YANG
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
NAN TSING CHIU
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
TZUNG LIEH YEH
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
PO SEE CHEN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
I. HUI LEE
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
CHING LIN CHU
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Abstract

Background. Although a correlation between the central dopaminergic system and intelligence may exist, the results from imaging studies remain inconclusive. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability and verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Method. Striatal D2/D3 receptor availability of 64 healthy subjects was determined with the [123I]iodobenzamide ([123I]IBZM) ligand. Intelligence quotients (IQs) of the subjects were measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised (WAIS-R).

Results. In addition to age, left striatal D2/D3 receptor availability correlated positively with VIQ. In females, left striatal D2/D3 receptor availability was the only variable that correlated significantly with the similarities subtest of VIQ.

Conclusions. There is a relationship between left striatal D2/D3 receptor availability and verbal intelligence, which varies, predominantly in males.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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