Use of Psychostimulant Medication: Tips for Parents—ADHD Toolkit

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Psychostimulant Medication

scholarly journals Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and use of psychostimulants among children in Turkey

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-73
Author(s):  
Sahbal Aras ◽  
Semih Semin
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Diagnostic Validity ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Psychostimulant Medication

Recently, the use of psychostimulant medication in children with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been subject to extensive debate. The problems faced while assessing and diagnosing ADHD, unnecessary prescribing of psychostimulants, the possible side-effects of psychostimulants on the developing brain, the risk of drug dependency, and the risk of stigmatising children through medicalisation of normal life events are considered among the principal objections to the use of psychostimulant medications. On the other hand, what also need to be taken into account are the increasing evidence on the genetic, biochemical and diagnostic validity of the disorder, the data showing the therapeutic effects of psychostimulants and the rarity of the above-mentioned side-effects, as well as the ethical problems created by insufficient treatment of children because of the concerns of parents. A critical evaluation of these conflicting opinions by mental health professionals might contribute to the application of ethical principles. While making this kind of evaluation, it is important to pay regard to the specific sociocultural features of the country, as well as the prevailing worldwide discussion.

scholarly journals Mapping the neuroanatomic substrates of cognition in familial attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Muster ◽  
Saadia Choudhury ◽  
Wendy Sharp ◽  
Steven Kasparek ◽  
Gustavo Sudre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Psychostimulant Medication

AbstractBackgroundWhile the neuroanatomic substrates of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been investigated, less is known about the neuroanatomic correlates of cognitive abilities pertinent to the disorder, particularly in adults. Here we define the neuroanatomic correlates of key cognitive abilities and determine if there are associations with histories of psychostimulant medication.MethodsWe acquired neuroanatomic magnetic resonance imaging data from 264 members of 60 families (mean age 29.5; s.d. 18.4, 116 with ADHD). Using linear mixed model regression, we tested for associations between cognitive abilities (working memory, information processing, intelligence, and attention), symptoms and both cortical and subcortical volumes.ResultsSymptom severity was associated with spatial working memory (t = −3.77, p = 0.0002), processing speed (t = −2.95, p = 0.004) and a measure of impulsive responding (t = 2.19, p = 0.03); these associations did not vary with age (all p > 0.1). Neuroanatomic associations of cognition varied by task but centered on prefrontal, lateral parietal and temporal cortical regions, the thalamus and putamen. The neuroanatomic correlates of ADHD symptoms overlapped significantly with those of working memory (Dice's overlap coefficient: spatial, p = 0.003; verbal, p = 0.001) and information processing (p = 0.02). Psychostimulant medication history was associated with neither cognitive skills nor with a brain–cognition relationships.ConclusionsDiagnostic differences in the cognitive profile of ADHD does not vary significantly with age; nor were cognitive differences associated with psychostimulant medication history. The neuroanatomic substrates of working memory and information overlapped with those for symptoms within these extended families, consistent with a pathophysiological role for these cognitive skills in familial ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety: Is There an Association with Neurodevelopmental Deficits?

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 650-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alasdair L. A. Vance ◽  
Ernest S. L. Luk
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Attention Deficit Disorder ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Deficits ◽  
Psychostimulant Medication

Objective: The co-occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety is a well-established clinical observation. However, its status as a clinical construct is debated. We review the prevalence of ‘ADHD and anxiety’, its definitions, and its clinical correlates and we hypothesise that neurodevelopmental deficits may be increased in ‘ADHD and anxiety’. Method: The authors identified empirical studies in the psychiatric and psychological literature. The search categories included hyperactivity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder and anxiety. Results: ‘ADHD and anxiety’ is considerably more common in clinical than epidemiological samples. There are a range of definitions which address the situational variation in both ADHD and anxiety symptoms and the use of categorical and continuous variables to define them. Yet the nature of the anxiety is still unclear. It is associated with a poor response to psychostimulant medication treatment, and alternative pharmacotherapy approaches have been suggested. There is a controversy about whether neurodevelopmental deficits are associated with hyperactivity alone, or anxiety, or both. Conclusions: ‘ADHD and anxiety’ is important clinically because it is common and less responsive to psychostimulant medication. Important research issues include its heterogeneity which necessitates the collection of parent, teacher, and child self-reports of symptoms' presence or absence and the hypothesis that neurodevelopmental deficits may be increased in this group of children.

Potential neurobiological ADHD biomarkers

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S361-S361
Author(s):  
M. Uzbekov ◽  
E. Misionzhnik
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Status ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Hyperkinetic Syndrome ◽  
Acid Ratio ◽  
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ◽  
Mao Activity ◽  
Platelet Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Psychostimulant Medication

ObjectivesPathogenetic mechanisms of hyperkinetic syndrome (HKS) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not clear.AimTo elucidate some aspects of monoamine involvement in pathogenesis of disorder and response of monoaminergic systems to psychostimulant medication.MethodsLevels of different monoamines, their metabolites and N-methylnicotinamide (end product of kynurenine pathway) were measured in daily samples of urine from children (7–11 years old) with mild and severe HKS using fluorimetric and chromatographic methods as well as platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Thirty children with mild HKS received psychostimulant Sydnocarb 5–15 mg daily for 1–1.5 months (for ethical reasons children with severe HKS were not included in study).ResultsHKS was accompanied by activation of dopaminergic and inhibition of noradrenergic systems. There were found metabolic differences between two forms of HKS. Compared with mild HKS, severe HKS was characterized by significant 2-fold increase of MAO activity and L-dopa, dopamine and adrenaline excretion. After sydnocarb treatment children's clinical status improved along with decrease of excretion of homovanillic, vanillylmandelic and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acids and increase of N-methylnicotinamide.ConclusionsResults indicate that dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems play important role in pathogenesis of HKS. Clinical improvement of HKS children was accompanied by significant increase of N-methylnicotinamide excretion. It is proposed that increased urine excretion of kynurenine metabolite–N-methylnicotinamide and N-methylnicotinamide/5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid ratio can serve as potential biomarkers for evaluation of efficacy of psychostimulant medication. We hypothesize that kynurenine system plays significant role in pathogenesis of HKS/ADHD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Current Progress and Controversies

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 719-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alasdair L. A. Vance ◽  
Ernest S. L. Luk
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Medication Treatment ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Careful Assessment ◽  
Ongoing Monitoring ◽  
Psychostimulant Medication

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common chronic and disabling condition in children. This paper reviews the taxonomic issues and the major comorbid conditions, neurobiological correlates, treatment and public health issues associated with ADHD. Method: Pertinent recent papers are reviewed from the psychological and psychiatric literature. Results: The two major taxonomies now define a similar group of children with ADHD of a combined type/hyperkinetic disorder. Advances in the understanding and treatment of ADHD demonstrate the complex multidimensional links between neurobiology, psychology and behaviour. Careful assessment of individual factors in treatment planning and ongoing monitoring of psychostimulant medication treatment in the longer term are recommended. Conclusions: There is much still to learn about ADHD, and increased levels of clinical research and treatment resources are required.

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