scholarly journals Effectiveness of Psychostimulant and Non-Psychostimulant Drug Therapy in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Adriana Cojocaru ◽  
Lavinia Maria Hogea ◽  
Vladimir Poroch ◽  
Mihaela Adriana Simu ◽  
Virgil Radu Enatescu ◽  
...  

Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological behavioral disorder of the child, adolescent, and adult characterized by problems of concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsivity caused by an imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain—dopamine and noradrenaline. ADHD first-line drugs are divided in psychostimulant, as Methylphenidate and Amphetamines and non-psychostimulant medications-Atomoxetine (the only representative non-psychostimulant medication approved in our country in children and adolescents). The purpose of our research was to assess the clinical evolution of patients with ADHD based on the drug treatment that is administered: psychostimulant or non-psychostimulant. Both psychostimulant—Methylphenidate, and non-psychostimulant therapy—Atomoxetine, proved to significantly improve the symptoms of attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder. There was a significant reduction in the severity of ADHD symptoms at six months and at one year from the start of treatment in the case of the psychostimulant group, whereas in the non-psychostimulant group, the significant reduction in severity of symptomatology occurs only at six months after the start of treatment. We can conclude that both types of drugs are effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and in improving the clinical condition of patients with ADHD, but the comparative analysis of the two groups demonstrated that significantly better results are obtained with psychostimulant treatment.

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. CMT.S8706
Author(s):  
M. Nguyen ◽  
M.A. Shapiro ◽  
S. Tharani

ADHD is the most common neuropsychiatry disorder affecting children and adolescents, and may cause impairment in many domains of social and occupational functioning. Despite proven efficacy of existing treatments, recent focus has been on the development of newer, once-daily medications. Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) was first released in 2007 and is approved for the treatment of ADHD in ages 6 and above. LDX is a uniquely formulated stimulant, a prodrug which requires an enzymatic hydrolytic reaction to be converted to active dextroamphetamine. LDX has a longer duration of action compared to other stimulants and has less potential to be misused or abused. LDX has repeatedly demonstrated improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to placebo, and seems to be at least as effective as other stimulants. LDX still carries the risks and disadvantages of other stimulants and may be more expensive than other stimulants. LDX can be expected to be increasingly used as a first-line agent for the treatment of ADHD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Rony Chaaya ◽  
Diala El Khoury

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a psychiatric and behavioral disorder marked by chronic inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. This disorder is caused by many dysfunctions in the brain especially in the prefrontal cortex. To date, numerous studies have attempted to unravel the biological pathways behind ADHD. Many environmental risk factors have been identified including lead exposure and prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure. Specific mutations in genes affecting dopamine and norepinephrine release are also under investigation. Moreover, around three thousand papers have been published showing that ADHD is due to an abnormal dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters secretion in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This paper aims to provide an updated review of the biological causes of ADHD with an unprecedented focus on different cellular pathways involving catecholamine secretion in the prefrontal cortex. A well rounded and comprehensive review of the etiology of ADHD would prevent its misdiagnosis by health professionals and consequently restrict its malpractice by the use of unnecessary treatments and medications. The ADHD controversy still remains: a disorder or a fraud?


1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Toone ◽  
Maria Clarke ◽  
Susan Young

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hyperkinetic disorder are well-established diagnoses in children, with estimates of prevalence in pre-adolescent children from 3 to 5%. Until recently ADHD was not thought to persist beyond adolescence, but results from long-term prospective outcome studies indicate that 30–70% of children with ADHD exhibit some symptoms as adults. Recognition of this disorder is important as the persistence of ADHD symptoms has been shown to be associated with academic and occupational failure and high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. With the establishment of a UK support group (LADDER) and increasing media attention highlighting this problem it is likely that there will be an increased demand for psychiatric assessment of adult ADHD in the next few years.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (19) ◽  
pp. 4440
Author(s):  
Harry Robberecht ◽  
Annelies A. J. Verlaet ◽  
Annelies Breynaert ◽  
Tess De Bruyne ◽  
Nina Hermans

In this study, we critically review the literature concerning the relation of Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Se and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Elemental status is estimated using peripheral blood parameters, hair, urine, daily intake and response to supplementation. The observed associations between concentration levels of the elements Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Se and ADHD symptoms are contradictory. This is partly due to the heterogeneity and complexity of the disorder. As a trend, lower ferritin and zinc levels can be observed. However, this correlation is not causative, as illustrated by placebo-controlled trials reporting conflicting evidence on the efficacy of supplementation. Well-defined studies on changes in concentration levels of the elements in relation to ADHD symptoms before and after treatment with therapeutics it will be possible to shed more light on the significance of these elements in this behavioral disorder. The discussion on whether a change in concentration of an element is cause or consequence of ADHD is not within the scope of this article.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Riki Sukiandra

Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with childhood epilepsy. Epilepsy are themost common neurologic disturbance in child age. Children with epilepsy tend to get one or more ADHD symptoms,its related to lack of norepinephrine neurotransmitter in brain, that cause attenuate the effect of GABA and disruptionto fronto-striatal brain networks, these same brain networks are disrupted by seizures or the structural brainabnormalities that can cause seizures. Children with epilepsy especially absance, tend to get inattentive type ofADHD more than other types. Abnormalities of electro-encephalography found in inattentive type of ADHD withhigh focus activities in all lobe area. No data published that methylphenidate can lower seizure threshold or act asproconvulsant. Children with epilepsy tend to get one or more symptoms of ADHD in the following days.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Mihail Silviu Tudosie ◽  
Elena Truta ◽  
Ana Maria Davitoiu ◽  
Luminita Stanciulescu ◽  
George Jinescu ◽  
...  

During one year (september 2013 � september 2014), 50 children from the residential institution for children SOS Satele Copiilor Bucharest, where included in our research. The children were distributed in two groups: Group A which consisted of 25 children (12 girls, 13 boys) who were not diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Group B which consisted of 25 children (14 boys, 11 girls) who were diagnosed with ADHD. Initially, the two groups were subjected at a psycho-diagnostic battery of tests, one of them being the Evaluating the Health State of children with ADHD questionnaire elaborated by us, particularly for this research, with the purpose of highlighting the direct link between the children health state and their ADHD symptoms. This study sought to determine the concentration of copper in urine samples from a group of children with ADHD and a group of normal children, to highlight the role of copper in the development of ADHD symptoms. Levels of copper concentration in urine samples from the two groups were processed by Student�s t-Test. Statistical analysis showed that the arithmetic averages of copper concentration in urine samples, of the two groups do not differ significantly, so copper may be causing ADHD symptoms occur. The copper content in urine samples has been determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace.


Author(s):  
Karen Bearss ◽  
Aaron J. Kaat

This chapter will review the available evidence on individuals with co-occurring diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This chapter contends that children diagnosed with both disorders (ASD+ADHD) are a subset of the ASD population that is at risk for delayed recognition of their ASD diagnosis, poor treatment response, and poorer functional outcomes compared to those with ASD without ADHD. Specifically, the chapter highlights the best estimates of the prevalence of the comorbidity, the developmental trajectory of people with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, how ADHD symptoms change across development, overlapping genetic and neurobiological risk factors, psychometrics of ADHD diagnostic instruments in an ASD population, neuropsychological and functional impairments associated with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, and the current state of evidence-based treatment for both ASD and ADHD symptoms. Finally, the chapter discusses fruitful avenues of research for improving understanding of this high-risk comorbidity so that mechanism-to-treatment pathways for ADHD in children with ASD can be better developed.


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