Bianca A Lauria-Horner | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

The feasibility of a mental health curriculum in elementary school.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the feasibility and short-term impact of implementing a novel curriculum in a linguistically and geographically isolated francophone community to enhance elementary schoolchildren's (Grades 1 to 7; n = 158) knowledge and attitudes regarding mental health. METHODS: The project team developed a curriculum that covered expected emotional development, depression, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to be delivered by the school's usual teachers. Committee members led focused discussions (Grades 1 to 7) and administered evaluation questionnaires (Grades 4 to 7) surveying students' knowledge and attitudes before and after implementation. RESULTS: Teachers were enthusiastic about the project. Parents were initially skeptical, but post hoc interventions by school staff secured participation consent for 98% of the students. Baseline data (Grades 4 to 7) revealed little knowledge and some negative attitudes regarding mental illnesses; postprogram data indicated improved knowledge and suggested improved attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The project was made feasible by the high degree of involvement of local community members. Children's (Grades 4 to 7) mental health awareness and understanding was enhanced by the curriculum. Effects on help-seeking behaviour and case identification have yet to be assessed.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Pregabalin: a new anxiolytic.

Pregabalin (S-[+]-3-isobutylgaba) was designed as a lipophilic GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) analogue substituted at the 3'-position in order to facilitate diffusion across the blood-brain barrier. It was originally developed as an anticonvulsant agent, however it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of several disorders including hyperalgesia and behavioural disorders. Although its exact mode of action remains unclear, pregabalin interacts with the same binding site and has a similar pharmacological profile as its predecessor, gabapentin (1-[aminomethyl] cyclohexane acetic acid). Its main site of action appears to be on the alpha(2)delta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, widely distributed throughout the peripheral and central nervous system. Pregabalin appears to produce an inhibitory modulation of neuronal excitability. In healthy volunteers, it is rapidly absorbed with peak blood concentrations within 1 h and it has a bioavailability of approximately 90%. In preclinical trials of anticonvulsant activity, pregabalin is three to ten times more potent than gabapentin. It is well-tolerated and associated with dose-dependent adverse effects (ataxia, dizziness, headache and somnolence) that are mild-to-moderate and usually transient. There are no known pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions reported to date. Preliminary animal and human studies showed beneficial effects in both ethological and conflict models of anxiety, as well as having some sleep-modulating properties. In Phase II and III trials, pregabalin shows promising anxiolytic action when compared to placebo in generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and panic disorder.

Animals↗