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Biomedical subjects

J Sverd

Publications and source records attributed to J Sverd.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Methylphenidate in hyperactive boys with comorbid tic disorder: II. Short-term behavioral effects in school settings.

In this study, 11 prepubertal hyperactive boys with tic disorder received placebo and three doses of methylphenidate (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/kg) for 2 weeks each, under double-blind conditions. Each boy was observed for approximately 20 hours in the school setting (classroom seatwork activities, lunchroom, and playground). Results showed that methylphenidate effectively suppressed hyperactive/disruptive behaviors in the classroom and physical aggression in the lunchroom and on the playground. Methylphenidate also reduced the occurrence of vocal tics in the classroom and the lunchroom. None of the motor tic measures revealed drug effects, but the lowest mean rate of motor tics occurred on the 0.3 mg/kg dose. On an operationally defined minimal effective dose, only one boy experienced motor tic exacerbation.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1991

Tourette syndrome and autistic disorder: a significant relationship.

The histories of 10 children with autistic disorder or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) cooccurring with familial Tourette syndrome (TS) are presented. Evidence from the histories of the patients and their relatives combined with other reports of cases of cooccurrence of TS and autism provides support for the hypothesis that TS may be responsible for cases of coocurrence of the disorders, contributes significantly to the etiological heterogeneity of autistic disorder and that a portion of cases of autism may actually be a result of homozygosity for the TS gene. In addition, the presence of affective disorders and autistic-like syndromes or mild disturbances of social relatedness in some of the pedigrees suggests the hypothesis that TS may be responsible for a subgroup of families with cooccurring affective and autistic disorders and for some cases of familial aggregation of autism-PDD.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Methylphenidate in aggressive-hyperactive boys: I. Effects on peer aggression in public school settings.

One of the least documented "known" effects of methylphenidate in hyperactive children is the suppression of peer aggression. In this study, 11 aggressive-hyperactive children received a low (0.3 mg/kg) and moderate (0.6 mg/kg) dose of methylphenidate and placebo for 2 weeks each under double-blind conditions. Children were observed in public school settings during classroom seatwork activities, lunch, and recess. Results showed that methylphenidate suppressed nonphysical aggression (p = 0.06) in the classroom, and a moderate dose decreased physical aggression (p less than 0.01) and verbal aggression (p = 0.07) on the playground. The effect on the rate of appropriate social interaction was variable. The majority of subjects exhibited either the same or higher levels of appropriate social interaction on the 0.6 mg/kg dose compared with placebo. In the classroom, both doses of methylphenidate also resulted in reduced levels of motor movement, off-task behavior, noncompliance, and disruptiveness. Teacher ratings of hyperactivity and conduct problem symptoms revealed drug effects, whereas parallel parent instruments did not.

Aggression↗
PubMed1989

Methylphenidate treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in boys with Tourette's syndrome.

The effects of methylphenidate on four boys diagnosed as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tourette's syndrome (TS) were examined under single-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. Clinical ratings and playroom observations showed improvement in ADHD symptoms with methylphenidate. Results also indicated that methylphenidate had no untoward effects on the frequency of tic occurrence. In all four children, the highest dose resulted in improved classroom ratings of tics compared with initial placebo treatment. In three cases, mild tic exacerbation was reported for a lower dose. Because variability of tic status was observed in the experimental conditions, the findings suggest the possibility that tic response was independent of clinical doses of methylphenidate. The findings were also consistent with the theory that methylphenidate, a dopamine agonist, might effect tic status by altering dopamine receptor sensitivity. Further investigation of these effects is indicated, given the efficacy of methylphenidate in treating ADHD symptoms of TS patients.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1988

Imipramine treatment of panic disorder in a boy with Tourette's syndrome.

Tourette's syndrome patients may suffer associated behavior and emotional problems that require treatment intervention even when tic symptoms are mild. A case is reported of a boy with Tourette's syndrome whose panic attacks were successfully treated with imipramine. The results suggest that trials of imipramine might prove beneficial for Tourette's syndrome patients who experience panic attacks.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Mianserin pharmacokinetics and behavior in hyperkinetic children.

The present study was conducted to derive pediatric mianserin pharmacokinetic parameters, which were compared to those from healthy young adults, and to obtain preliminary information regarding the utility of mianserin for the management of hyperkinesis in children. The sample consisted of six prepubescent children with hyperkinetic behavior disorders who had not responded, or had developed tolerance to, stimulant medication. Mianserin pharmacokinetics were derived from plasma samples obtained over a 36- to 50-hour period following a single oral dose which ranged from 0.28 to 0.72 mg/kg. Children evidenced a significantly faster elimination half-life and a significantly smaller apparent kinetic volume of distribution than did adults, whereas maximum plasma concentration, time to maximum concentration, and apparent oral plasma clearance were similar. Ratings of behavioral deviance were obtained from teachers and parents during placebo and mianserin titration to a maximum dose of 40 mg/day. Although half the children showed some decrease in hyperactivity ratings, the small sample size and high variability of response preclude conclusions regarding the efficacy of mianserin for childhood hyperkinesis. Possible side effects in our sample included akathisia, excitability, insomnia, and migraine-like headache, as well as cardiovascular effects of tachycardia and two instances of minor electrocardiographic change. Our pharmacokinetic findings will be of import should mianserin prove useful for such childhood disorders as depression and/or enuresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1979

Pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate in hyperkinetic children.

1 Pharmacokinetic study has been carried out following oral administration of 10-20 mg of methylphenidate hydrochloride to four behaviorally disorders children. 2 It is indicated that the drug is metabolized to ritalinic acid with an apparent plasma half life of 2.5 h. 3 The variability in magnitude of plasma concentration seems to be due not to its metabolism to ritalinic acid but due to the variability in the apparent volume of distribution. 4 The brief half life of methylphenidate which parallels the short duration of action of methylphenidate in behaviorally disordered children may be explained in part by its low protein binding which results in high percentage of free drug being made available for metabolism to pharmacologically inactive metabolites.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed1978

Effects of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in autistic children.

Behavioral effects of L-5-Hydroxytrophan (L-5-HTP), administered in combination with carbidopa, were evaluated in three autistic children using direct behavioral observation and parent ratings. Children were assessed under each of four experimental conditions: Baseline, Placebo I, L-5-HTP plus carbidopa, and Placebo II. During the 20-week study two children showed behavioral change that appeared to be unrelated to drug treatment. The findings did not support the hypothesis that a functional deficit in brain 5-HT underlies the autistic syndrome.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1977

Lead and hyperactivity: lead levels among hyperactive children.

Previous work has demonstrated an association between hyperactivity and increased body lead burdens in school-age children. In the present study it is shown that within a group of hyperactive children those for whom an organic etiology is present have lead burdens lower than in those for whom no apparent cause could be found. These data lead us to reject the notion that hyperactivity per se is responsible for the acquisition of elevated lead levels, and further strengthen the suspicion that for some children lower lead level absorption may be implicated in the development of the hyperkinetic disorder.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1976

Low lead levels and mental retardation.

Borderline and mildly retarded children attending the hospital developmental evaluation clinic were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of a pred with a paediatric control group using blood-lead concentration as the independent variable. Children with a history of diagnosed lead posisoning were excluded from the study. The group of mentally retarded children "aetiology unknown" had statistically significantly raised blood-lead concentrations but the mentally retarded sample with "probable aetiology" showed no significant difference in lead concentrations from those of the normal controls. It is concluded that the association between lead and mental retardation extends over a much wider range than hitherto suspected and that the nature of this association is independent of a history of "encephalopathic" lead poisoning. It is suggested that physicians should consider raised lead levels in their examination of all children suspected of mental retardation and that the numerical definition of lead toxicity should be re-evaluated.

Child↗