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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (attention + deficit_hyperactivity_disorder)
Selected AbstractsThe neurobiological profile of girls with ADHDDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 4 2008E. Mark Mahone Abstract Since boys are more commonly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than girls, the majority of theories and published research studies of ADHD have been based on samples comprised primarily (or exclusively) of boys. While psychosocial impairment in girls with ADHD is well established, the neuropsychological and neurobiological basis of these deficits is less consistently observed. There is growing evidence that boys' and girls' brains develop and mature at different rates, suggesting that the trajectory of early anomalous brain development in ADHD may also be sex-specific. It remains unclear, however, whether earlier brain maturation observed in girls with ADHD is protective. In this review, we outline the current theory and research findings that seek to establish a unique neurobiological profile of girls with ADHD, highlighting sex differences in typical brain development and among children with ADHD. The review highlights findings from neurological, neurocognitive, and behavioral studies. Future research directions are suggested, including the need for longitudinal neuroimaging and neurobehavioral investigation beginning as early as the preschool years, and continuing through adolescence and adulthood, with consideration of identified sex differences in the development of ADHD. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:276,284. [source] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and substance use disorders: is there a causal link?ADDICTION, Issue 6 2001Michael T. Lynskey Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), characterized by restless, inattentive and hyperactive behaviours, is a relatively common childhood disorder that affects approximately 5% of the general population. There has been controversy about whether ADHD increases risks of developing substance use disorders. The available evidence suggests that, in the absence of conduct disorder, ADHD is not associated with an increased risk of substance use problems in males. There is only limited evidence on the role of ADHD in the aetiology of substance use disorders among females. While ADHD has traditionally been considered as a childhood disorder, it may also occur in adults; research needs to examine the extent to which ADHD in adulthood increases the risk of substance use disorders. [source] College Students Classified as Having Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the Foreign Language RequirementFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 3 2003Richard L. Sparks EdD College students classified as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often assumed by educators and service providers to have problems that impair FL learning. To date, no empirical studies have investigated this assumption. In the two studies reported here, college students classified as LD or as both LD and having ADHD (LD/ADHD) who had either substituted courses for the FL requirement (petition) or had fulfilled the requirement by passing FL courses (nonpetition) were compared in terms of demographic, cognitive, and academic achievement profiles, and FL grades. In the first study, few differences were found in demographic, cognitive, and achievement profiles between petition students classified as LD or LD/ADHD. In the second study, no significant differences in demographic profiles were found among groups classified as petition LD, petition LD/ADHD, nonpetition LD, and nonpetition LD/ADHD. On cognitive and academic achievement measures, the nonpetition LD/ADHD group scored significantly higher than the petition LD group on measures of IQ, reading, math, and scholastic achievement (ACT). The results of both studies appear to be counterintuitive because students with two disabilities (LD and ADHD) were found to exhibit cognitive ability, academic achievement, and FL grades greater than or equal to students with LD alone. Findings suggest that students classified as both LD and ADHD may not necessarily experience serious problems with FL learning. [source] Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderJOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 2 2004Nancy LeBlanc PhD(c) PROBLEM To compare depressive symptoms in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to those in healthy children, and to explore the influence of individual and family factors on level of depression. METHODS Individual interviews with 68 children, ages 7 to 12 years, in order to complete the Children's Depression Inventory. FINDINGS Children with ADHD reported significantly more depressive symptoms than did children without ADHD; 14.7% of children with ADHD reached the threshold of a 19 point score, which suggests clinical depression. No significant effects of individual and family factors on level of depression were found. CONCLUSIONS Children with ADHD are more inclined to experience depressive symptoms than are healthy children. To plan appropriate interventions, nurses evaluating and working with children with ADHD should always consider a possible coexistence of depressive symptoms. [source] The Effects of a Stress-Management Program on Self-concept, Locus of Control, and the Acquisition of Coping Skills in School-Age Children Diagnosed With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderJOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 1 2002Lois O. Gonzalez PhD [source] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Current Concepts and Underlying MechanismsJOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 3 2000Brenda J. Wagner PhD TOPIC. Neuropsychological concentration of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). PURPOSE. Survey of current understanding of underlying neural systems and pathways involved in ADHD and the relationship to specific behavioral patterns. SOURCES. Literature review, author's experience in neuropsychological assessment and clinical treatment. CONCLUSIONS. Clinicians will be able to specify treat men t interventions designed to compensate for specific behavioral patterns and functional deficits. [source] Structural determination of the stable and meta-stable forms of atomoxetine HCl using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methodsJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 8 2006Gregory A. Stephenson Abstract StratteraÔ is the first FDA-approved nonstimulant medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Two polymorphic forms and an amorphous form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, atomoxetine HCl, were discovered during drug development. The thermodynamically stable polymorphic form was selected for the commercial product. The stable form readily grows as crystals suitable for single crystal diffraction. The meta-stable crystal form is isolated by rapid crystallization, providing crystals that are too small for routine single crystal methods; consequently its structure was determined by X-ray powder diffraction. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 95: 1677,1683, 2006 [source] Social Cognitive and Emotion Processing Abilities of Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Comparison With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2009Rachel L. Greenbaum Background:, Although children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are at high risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), direct comparisons show distinct cognitive phenotypes in the 2 diagnoses. However, these groups have not been directly compared for social problems or social cognition, nor has social cognition been directly examined in FASDs. Objectives:, To compare FASDs and ADHD groups on social cognition tasks and determine whether deficient social cognition and emotion processing predict behavioral problems and social skills. Methods:, Studied were 33 children with FASDs, 30 with ADHD, and 34 normal controls (NC). All received tasks of social cognition and emotion processing. Parents and teachers rated children on measures of completed questionnaires assessing child's behavioral problems and social skills using the Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form, and Social Skills Rating Scale. Children received 3 subtests from the Saltzman-Benaiah and Lalonde (2007) Theory of Mind Task as a measure of social cognition and 4 subtests from the Minnesota Test of Affective Processing (Lai et al., 1991) to assess emotion processing. Results:, Parents and teachers reported more behavior problems and poorer social skills in children in FASD and ADHD than NC groups. FASDs demonstrated significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion processing ability than ADHD and NC groups. Regression analyses identified social cognition as a significant predictor of behavior problems and emotion processing as a significant predictor of social skills. Conclusions:, Children with FASDs show a distinct behavioral profile from children with ADHD. Difficulties in social cognition and emotion processing in children with FASDs may contribute to their high incidence of social behavioral problems. [source] Are social competence difficulties caused by performance or acquisition deficits?PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 4 2007The importance of self-regulatory mechanisms We conducted three studies which examined the performance vs. skill acquisition model of social skills deficits. In Study 1, baseline social behaviors for a random sample of 12 boys with comorbid emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), learning disabilities (LD), language delays, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) revealed that prosocial behaviors as well as inappropriate behaviors exist comorbidly in behavioral repertoires, supporting a performance rather than acquisition model of social competence difficulties. In Study 2, an ABAC design was used to examine the efficacy of a self-management intervention with noncontingent (B) and contingent (C) reinforcement for three elementary aged boys with EBD. Generalization was demonstrated in natural settings for the contingent reinforcement phase only, but was not observed over time. Study 3 replicated Study 2's procedures using an ABAC multiple baseline across participants design with a sample of adolescents with varying degrees of mental retardation. Two of the three participants responded favorably to the self-monitoring training and showed marked improvements in prosocial play skills during recess; for the third participant, no behavioral changes were observed. Results from all three studies are discussed from a social learning theory perspective. The efficacy of the data collecting procedure and implications of the results are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 351,372, 2007. [source] Hyper Talk: Sampling the Social Construction of ADHD in Everyday LanguageANTHROPOLOGY & EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2001Scot Danforth This article examines the ways that meanings about the concept Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are socially constructed within the everyday language use of lay persons. The 224 language events referencing ADHD, including media sources, were recorded in journals by student assistants. These data reveal five patterned ways that lay persons appropriate and interpret discourses originating in medical and school communities of practice. Conclusions raise issues about the moral opportunities and responsibilities afforded and occluded by specific discourse practices. [source] Prescribed stimulant use by Western Australians with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): does amount dispensed exceed the expected authorised use?AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2007Janine Calver Abstract Objective: To investigate to what extent Western Australian (WA) patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) received prescribed stimulants in excess of their notified dose from WA pharmacies in 2004 (termed ,discrepancy'). Design and data sources: Analysis of administrative data about all people aged two years and older who were prescribed stimulants for the treatment of ADHD in WA, and had at least one stimulant prescription dispensed from a WA pharmacy during the period 1 January to 31 December 2004. Outcome measures: Discrepancies were identified using minimum and maximum estimation methods (MinDE, MaxDE). We calculated for both methods the discrepancy prevalence by age and sex and annual surplus of stimulant accrued by age. Results: Of the 15,190 ADHD patients who comprised the study population, 5.4% to 19.0% received stimulants surplus to requirement in 2004, with peak prevalences in 6-8 year-olds (MaxDE 20.1%) and 25-34 year-olds (MaxDE 27.6%; MinDE 10.5%). The amount of stimulant dispensed surplus to requirement was highly skewed, with median annual values that ranged from one to 4.1 standard bottles (100 tablets) of dexamphetamine 5 mg for the MinDE and MaxDE methods, respectively. Conclusion: It is difficult to definitively estimate to what extent WA ADHD patients accrued excess stimulant medication using routine administrative data. Improvements to the WA Stimulant Regulatory Guidelines are recommended in the interests of patient safety, public transparency, methodological rigour and encouraging good prescribing practices. [source] The Impact of Governmental Guidance on the Time Taken to Receive a Prescription for Medication for ADHD in EnglandCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2010David M. Foreman The National Health Service in England has deployed guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to assist practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but, though the number of prescriptions has risen since its introduction, the impact of the guidance on prescribing practice has not been studied. Clinic records of all open ADHD cases (296) in three English Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services were examined. The time from referral to either prescription or data collection was extracted for a survival analysis. It was hypothesised that NICE guidance, clinic, patient and referral characteristics would all influence the speed and likelihood of prescription. Following the introduction of NICE guidance, the median time to start prescribing medication fell from 1262 to 526 days: the minimum realistic time to complete a routine assessment was approximately 70 days. Overall, 70% were prescribed medication. Most of the wait was after face-to-face appointments at the clinic had been initiated. Waiting times differed between clinics and shorter waits were likely for older children and those referred from an educational source. While the introduction of NICE guidance has increased the rate of prescription, the time taken before prescription suggests that the tendency in England is still to postpone treatment by medication. The reasons for this require further research. [source] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: New Ways of Working in Primary CareCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2007Gill Salmon Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and prescribed pharmacotherapy require ongoing regular follow-up for many years. Recent literature outlining the role of primary care in the ongoing medication monitoring of children and young people with ADHD is reviewed. We propose that a General Practitioner with a Specialist Interest (GPwSI) model could be developed in relation to ADHD to ensure that shared care arrangements between CAMHS and primary care for children with ADHD are in place. Clinical materials to support GPs in this new role are described. [source] Recognition and referral of girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: case vignette studyCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2009C. Groenewald Abstract Background Compared with boys, girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are under-recognized. Parents commonly discuss concerns with teachers, who play an important role in the recognition and referral of children with ADHD. We investigated whether the predominating subtype of symptomatology influences teacher recognition of affected girls. Methods A total of 212 teachers from 40 randomly selected primary schools in England participated in a postal questionnaire study. The questionnaire consisted of a case vignette (based on DSM-IV criteria) describing a girl with either combined or predominantly inattentive subtype ADHD. Each school received an equal number of each type of vignette for distribution. Further questions elicited teachers' conceptualization of the girl's difficulties and need for specialist referral, their views on treatment modalities and demographic data. Results Most (98%) teachers recognized the presence of a problem but mainly conceptualized the girl's behaviour as reflecting attentional (89%) or emotional (62%) difficulties. Teachers were less likely to correctly identify a girl with inattentive than combined subtype ADHD (14% vs. 43%) or recommend clinical referral (50% vs. 59%) for her. Few (15%) teachers thought that medication might be helpful for a girl meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Conclusions Teachers are able to recognize ADHD-related behaviours and impairments but conceptualize these as reflecting attentional or emotional difficulties rather than as relating to a disorder (ADHD). Teachers' conceptualization of ADHD and views about medication are important factors that could affect accurate recognition and referral. Improving teachers' knowledge about ADHD, especially the inattentive subtype, could assist in tackling gender-related barriers to care. [source] ADHD and transition to adult services , the experience of community paediatriciansCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2008H. Marcer Abstract Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is now recognized as a disorder that can persist into adulthood, and therefore, there is a need for transitional care. Aim To find out about the experiences of community pediatricians across the UK when transferring patients with ADHD to adult care. Method A questionnaire was sent out to 100 consultant community pediatricians asking about their experiences. Results The majority of respondents thought a proportion of their patients would require referral to adult services and only 22% were aware of a dedicated clinic for adults in their area. Many had tried to address the issue locally often with little success. Conclusion There is a gap in provision of services for young people with ADHD when they leave pediatric care, with many pediatricians struggling to find appropriate ongoing care for their patients. Commissioners need to address the problem. [source] Can parents accurately perceive hyperactivity in their child?CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2001E Hutchinson Summary In all, 1872 children were recruited as part of a larger study concerning food additives and behaviours in preschool children. This figure represented 70% of the whole population of -year-old children resident on the Isle of Wight, UK. Parents completed an assessment concerning their perceptions of their child's behaviour. The results of this assessment were compared with scores on two validated parental questionnaires, the Weiss Werry Peters (WWP) hyperactivity scale and the Emotionality, Activity and Sociability Temperament Questionnaire (EAS), which were used to assess hyperactivity. The accuracy of parents in perceiving hyperactivity in their children was found to be around 50% if the child was hyperactive, and 89% if the child was not hyperactive. The implications of these findings for services are discussed. Frequencies of potential risk groups for future Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder were also suggested. [source] Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and suicide: a review of possible associationsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2004A. James Objective:, To review the evidence of a possible association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and suicide. Design:, We searched the electronic data bases: Medline, Psych LIT, between 1966 and March 2003 looking for articles on ADHD, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and suicide. Results:, An association of ADHD and completed suicide was found, especially for younger males. However, the evidence for any direct or independent link was modest with an overall suicide rate from long-term follow-up studies of ADHD of 0.63,0.78%. The estimated relative risk ratio, compared with US national suicide rates (males 5,24 years) is 2.91 (95% confidence interval 1.47,5.7, ,2 = 9.3, d.f. = 1, P = 0.002). ADHD appears to increase the risk of suicide in males via increasing severity of comorbid conditions, particularly conduct disorder (CD) and depression. Conclusion:, Identification of those at risk, particularly males with comorbid ADHD, depression and CD, may represent a useful clinical means of reducing completed suicide. [source] An international multicenter association study of the serotonin transporter gene in persistent ADHDGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 5 2010E. T. Landaas Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder affecting children and adults. It has been suggested that gene variants related to serotonin neurotransmission are associated with ADHD. We tested the functional promoter polymorphism 5-HTTLPR and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC6A4 for association with ADHD in 448 adult ADHD patients and 580 controls from Norway. Replication attempts were performed in a sample of 1454 Caucasian adult ADHD patients and 1302 controls from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and USA, and a meta-analysis was performed also including a previously published adult ADHD study. We found an association between ADHD and rs140700 [odds ratio (OR ) = 0.67; P = 0.01] and the short (S) allele of the 5-HTTLPR (OR = 1.19; P = 0.06) in the Norwegian sample. Analysis of a possible gender effect suggested that the association might be restricted to females (rs140700: OR = 0.45; P = 0.00084). However, the meta-analysis of 1894 cases and 1878 controls could not confirm the association for rs140700 [OR = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.67,1.09; P = 0.20]. For 5-HTTLPR, five of six samples showed a slight overrepresentation of the S allele in patients, but meta-analysis refuted a strong effect (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00,1.21; P = 0.06). Neither marker showed any evidence of differential effects for ADHD subtype, gender or symptoms of depression/anxiety. In conclusion, our results do not support a major role for SLC6A4 common variants in persistent ADHD, although a modest effect of the 5-HTTLPR and a role for rare variants cannot be excluded. [source] Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: concordance of the adolescent version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 (CIDI) with the K-SADS in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent (NCS-A) supplementINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010Jennifer Greif Green Abstract This paper evaluates the internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity of the assessment of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the adolescent version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 (CIDI). The CIDI is a lay-administered diagnostic interview that was carried out in conjunction with the US National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement, a US nationally representative survey of 10,148 adolescents and their parents. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using factor and item response theory analyses. Concurrent validity was evaluated against diagnoses based on blinded clinician-administered interviews. Inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity items loaded on separate but correlated factors, with hyperactivity and impulsivity items forming a single factor in parent reports but separate factors in youth reports. We were able to differentiate hyperactivity and impulsivity factors for parents as well by eliminating a subset who endorsed zero ADHD items from the factor analysis. Although concurrent validity was relatively weak, decomposition showed that this was due to low validity of adolescent reports. A modified CIDI diagnosis based exclusively on parent reports generated a diagnosis that had good concordance with clinical diagnoses [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.78]. Implications for assessing ADHD using the CIDI and the effect of different informants on measurement are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Diagnostic issues for adolescents and adults with ADHDJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Jeanette WassersteinArticle first published online: 18 FEB 200 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neuropsychiatric syndrome once thought to disappear with maturation. Current data indicate that ADHD remains "hidden" in many of the grownups who had it as children. Adult prevalence rates range from 1% to 6% of the population. Research suggests the core childhood symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity shift with development, perhaps transforming into more overt difficulties in executive functions and affect regulation. ADHD is also usually nestled with other comorbid psychiatric conditions, especially in adolescents and adults, further complicating diagnosis and treatment. This article discusses how to recognize and diagnose ADHD in older patients. Key points include core symptoms present during childhood, appropriate family history in this strongly genetic condition, management of comorbidity, and the evolving role of diagnostic testing. Other medical causes for similar symptoms are considered. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 535,547, 2005. [source] Career choices and workplace challenges for individuals with ADHDJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Kathleen G. NadeauArticle first published online: 18 FEB 200 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is increasingly recognized as a common disorder that can significantly impact workplace functioning, yet few clinicians or career consultants have training in how to help adults select careers or jobs within a chosen career that are a good match for their strengths, weaknesses, ADHD tendencies, and coexisting conditions. Straightforward career counseling is inadequate to meet the needs of adults who have ADHD, and significant follow-up, brain-based counseling or therapy is often necessary to help these adults implement the recommendations generated by an ADHD career assessment. This article guides the clinician through the multiple steps of clinical interview, assessment, and intervention when working with adults who have ADHD who face challenges in the workplace. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 549,563, 2005. [source] Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in pre-school children: current findings, recommended interventions and future directionsCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2009D. Daley Abstract This paper outlines the presentation, aetiology and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pre-school children. A review of current parenting training interventions demonstrates that there is good evidence for their efficacy in reducing symptoms of ADHD in pre-school children, and three interventions are evaluated: The new forest parent training programme (NFPP); the triple P , positive parenting programme and the incredible years parent training programme (IY). The evaluation of the NFPP provides strong evidence demonstrating its effectiveness for pre-school children with ADHD, while the efficacy of the Triple , P and the IY programme have, to date, only been demonstrated on children with conduct problems and co-morbid ADHD. It is suggested that parent training should be the first choice treatment for pre-school children presenting signs of ADHD, and medication introduced only for those children where parent training is not effective. Few moderators of outcome have been identified for these interventions, with the exception of parental ADHD. Barriers to intervention and implementation fidelity will need to be addressed to achieve high levels of attendance, completion and efficacy. The IY programme is a good model for addressing fidelity issues and for overcoming barriers to intervention. The future directions for parent training are also discussed. [source] Amygdala reduction in patients with ADHD compared with major depression and healthy volunteersACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010T. Frodl Frodl T, Stauber J, Schaaff N, Koutsouleris N, Scheuerecker J, Ewers M, Omerovic M, Opgen-Rhein M, Hampel H, Reiser M, Möller H.-J, Meisenzahl E. Amygdala reduction in patients with ADHD compared with major depression and healthy volunteers. Objective:, Results in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on structural brain changes and the clinical relevance are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate whether in adult patients with ADHD hippocampal or amygdala volumes differs from that in healthy controls and patients with major depression (MD). Method:, Twenty patients with ADHD, 20 matched patients with MD and 20 healthy controls were studied with high resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Results:, Amygdala volumes in patients with ADHD were bilaterally smaller than in patients with MD and healthy controls. In ADHD, more hyperactivity and less inattention were associated with smaller right amygdala volumes, and more symptoms of depression with larger amygdala volumes. Conclusion:, This study supports findings that the amygdala plays an important role in the systemic brain pathophysiology of ADHD. Whether patients with ADHD and larger amygdala volumes are more vulnerable to affective disorders needs further investigation. [source] Transcranial magnetic stimulation in child psychiatry: disturbed motor system excitability in hypermotoric syndromesDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002Gunther H. Moll Normal development and dysfunctions of motor system excitability can be investigated in vivo by means of single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). While different TMS-parameters show different developmental time courses between 8 and 16 years of age, distinct dysfunctional patterns of motor system excitability can be demonstrated in child psychiatric disorders with hypermotoric behavior: in tic disorder, a shortened cortical silent period can be stated providing evidence for deficient inhibitory mechanisms within the sensorimotor loop, probably primarily at the level of the basal ganglia. In attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a decreased intracortical inhibition indicates deficient inhibitory mechanisms within the motor cortex (but enhancement of intracortical inhibition after oral intake of 10 mg methylphenidate). In children with comorbid ADHD and tic disorder, the findings of a reduced intracortical inhibition as well as a shortened cortical silent period provide evidence for additive effects at the level of motor system excitability. Thus, TMS allows us to obtain substantial insight into both the normal development and the neurobiological basis of hypermotoric syndromes in child psychiatry. [source] Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and suicide: a review of possible associationsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2004A. James Objective:, To review the evidence of a possible association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and suicide. Design:, We searched the electronic data bases: Medline, Psych LIT, between 1966 and March 2003 looking for articles on ADHD, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and suicide. Results:, An association of ADHD and completed suicide was found, especially for younger males. However, the evidence for any direct or independent link was modest with an overall suicide rate from long-term follow-up studies of ADHD of 0.63,0.78%. The estimated relative risk ratio, compared with US national suicide rates (males 5,24 years) is 2.91 (95% confidence interval 1.47,5.7, ,2 = 9.3, d.f. = 1, P = 0.002). ADHD appears to increase the risk of suicide in males via increasing severity of comorbid conditions, particularly conduct disorder (CD) and depression. Conclusion:, Identification of those at risk, particularly males with comorbid ADHD, depression and CD, may represent a useful clinical means of reducing completed suicide. [source] Pharmacokinetics, dose-range, and mutagenicity studies of methylphenidate hydrochloride in B6C3F1 mice,,ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 8 2008Mugimane G. Manjanatha Abstract Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is one of the most frequently prescribed pediatric drugs for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In a recent study, increased hepatic adenomas were observed in B6C3F1 mice treated with MPH in their diet. To evaluate the reactive metabolite, ritalinic acid (RA) of MPH and its mode of action in mice, we conducted extensive investigations on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and genotoxicity of the drug in B6C3F1 mice. For the PK study, male B6C3F1 mice were gavaged once with 3 mg/kg body weight (BW) of MPH and groups of mice were sacrificed at various time points (0.25,24 hr) for serum analysis of MPH and RA concentrations. Groups of male B6C3F1 mice were fed diets containing 0, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 ppm of MPH for 28 days to determine the appropriate doses for 24-week transgenic mutation studies. Also, the micronucleus frequencies (MN-RETs and MN-NCEs), and the lymphocyte Hprt mutants were determined in peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes, respectively. Mice fed 4,000 ppm of MPH lost significant BW compared to control mice (P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in the average liver weights whereas kidneys, seminal vesicle, testes, thymus, and urinary bladder weights of mice fed higher doses of MPH were significantly lower than the control group (P , 0.05). There was no significant increase in either the Hprt mutant frequency or the micronucleus frequency in the treated animals. These results indicated that although MPH induced liver hypertrophy in mice, no genotoxicity was observed. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] College Students Classified as Having Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the Foreign Language RequirementFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 3 2003Richard L. Sparks EdD College students classified as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often assumed by educators and service providers to have problems that impair FL learning. To date, no empirical studies have investigated this assumption. In the two studies reported here, college students classified as LD or as both LD and having ADHD (LD/ADHD) who had either substituted courses for the FL requirement (petition) or had fulfilled the requirement by passing FL courses (nonpetition) were compared in terms of demographic, cognitive, and academic achievement profiles, and FL grades. In the first study, few differences were found in demographic, cognitive, and achievement profiles between petition students classified as LD or LD/ADHD. In the second study, no significant differences in demographic profiles were found among groups classified as petition LD, petition LD/ADHD, nonpetition LD, and nonpetition LD/ADHD. On cognitive and academic achievement measures, the nonpetition LD/ADHD group scored significantly higher than the petition LD group on measures of IQ, reading, math, and scholastic achievement (ACT). The results of both studies appear to be counterintuitive because students with two disabilities (LD and ADHD) were found to exhibit cognitive ability, academic achievement, and FL grades greater than or equal to students with LD alone. Findings suggest that students classified as both LD and ADHD may not necessarily experience serious problems with FL learning. [source] Rates of adherence to pharmacological treatment among children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorderHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 5 2002El Sheikh R. Ibrahim Abstract Pharmacological intervention, mainly with psychostimulants, alone or with psychotherapy or behavioural modification, was found to be effective in increasing sustained attention span, improving concentration, reducing hyperactive behaviour and improving areas of academic deficits in children and adolescents with the diagnosis of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite their proven efficacy, noncompliance of the children and adolescents to the prescribed medication presents serious problems to patients and health care providers alike. Objective To investigate the rate of adherence to prescribed medication in a clinically referred sample of children and adolescents diagnosed as having ADHD. In addition, the stability of reports of adherence over a 3 month period was explored. Method Fifty-one children and adolescents (males: n,=,42; females: n,=,9) between the age of 7 years and 16.6 years diagnosed with ADHD and their parents were administered a children behaviour checklist, a teacher report form scale and a compliance with treatement opinion and attitude scale. Results There were very high reports of adherence by children to prescribed medications for ADHD with rates of compliance greater than 70%. Correlation between the children and adolescents' reports and the parents' reports revealed high agreement both at the end of week 1 and at the end of the study (week 12). There were also findings of stability of adherence reports over a 3 month period. Conclusion The results of this study documented high rates of adherence to medication prescribed for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a sample of children and adolescents. Their reports of adherence were well correlated with parents' reports. Several factors were found to be related to the high level of adherence. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Developmental change in the relation between executive functions and symptoms of ADHD and co-occurring behaviour problemsINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2006Karin C. Brocki Abstract In a sample of 92 children aged 6,13 years this study investigates the normal developmental change in the relation between executive functioning (EF) and the core behavioural symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention) as well as symptoms often co-occurring with childhood hyperactivity (conduct- and internalizing problems). EF was assessed by using multiple tests grouped through prior factor analysis, resulting in cognitive measures relating to disinhibition, speed/arousal, verbal working memory, non-verbal working memory, and fluency. The results showed that although disinhibition was positively related to hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention mainly for the youngest age group, there were no significant age effects for these relations. Instead, age effects were found for the relations between speed/arousal and inattention as well as for the relations between verbal working memory/fluency and inattention. In the oldest age group poor performance on these cognitive measures was associated with high ratings of inattention. For the total sample a relation was obtained between disinhibition and hyperactivity/impulsivity as well as between both working memory measures and internalizing problems. In conclusion, the results from this study suggest that poor inhibition is most clearly associated with ADHD symptoms for younger children, whereas poor functioning with regard to later developing and more complex executive functions such as working memory and fluency is associated with ADHD symptoms for older children. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Studying the relation between temporal reward discounting tasks used in populations with ADHD: A factor analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010Anouk Scheres Abstract Background: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between tasks that have been used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to measure choices between smaller immediate and larger delayed rewards: real and hypothetical temporal discounting tasks, and single-choice paradigms. Methods: Participants were 55 undergraduate psychology students. Tasks included a real and hypothetical version of a temporal discounting (TD) task with choices between a large reward (10 cents) after delays up to 60 seconds, and smaller immediate rewards (2,8 cents); two versions of a hypothetical temporal discounting task with choices between a large reward ($100) after delays up to 120 months, and smaller immediate rewards ($1,$95); a Choice Delay Task with choices between one point now and two points after 30 seconds (one point is worth five cents). Results: Correlation analyses showed that the real and the hypothetical TD tasks with 10 cents were very strongly associated. However, the hypothetical TD tasks with $100 did not correlate with either the real or the hypothetical TD task with 10 cents. Principal component analysis extracted two components: one for small amounts and short delays, and a second one for large rewards and long delays. Conclusions: Temporal reward discounting is not a uniform construct. Functional brain imaging research could shed more light on unique brain activation patterns associated with different forms of temporal reward discounting. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||