ADHD drugs and cardiovascular risk.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Marsha D Rappley.
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There is resurgent interest in the psychiatric literature in endophenotypes, variables thought to more strongly reflect the effects of candidate genes than do manifest disorders. In a sample of 176 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 52 of their siblings, we examined the validity of several putative endophenotypes for ADHD that represent commonly used clinical measures of multiple cognitive/neuropsychological domains of executive functions (EFs). We review their distributional normality, their relations to ADHD symptoms in probands and unaffected siblings relative to nonADHD controls, and their correlation in siblings. We also tested theEF measures' associations with the ADRA2A gene and whether they mediated or moderated the associations between ADHD and ADRA2A. Several EF measures showed association with ADRA2A, as well as moderation, but not mediation, of its association with ADHD. Implications of the results for evaluating the validity and utility of putative endophenotype measures and for finding candidate gene effects on ADHD are discussed.
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OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the relationship between a family adversity index and DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and associated behavior problems. The relationship of family adversity to symptoms and subtypes of ADHD was examined. METHOD: Parents and 206 children aged 7-13 completed diagnostic interviews and rating scales about socioeconomic status, parental lifetime psychiatric disorders, marital conflict, and stressful life events. RESULTS: Children with ADHD combined type experienced more risk factors than community controls (p = .002) or children with ADHD predominantly inattentive type (p = .02). The families of children with ADHD combined type described more risk factors associated with family adversity than the families of children with ADHD inattentive type and the control group. Parent-rated symptoms of child inattention/disorganization were related uniquely to the adversity index score independently of conduct disorder symptoms. Children's perceptions of marital conflict were independently related to inattention and hyperactivity behaviors as rated by parents and teachers after control of all other risk factors. Oppositional defiant symptoms were independently related to marital conflict and maternal psychopathology, whereas conduct disorder symptoms were uniquely related to low socioeconomic status and maternal psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Family adversity is related to ADHD combined type in children and may be related specifically to ADHD symptoms in addition to conduct disorder symptoms.
Management of a child or adolescent with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is reviewed, including psychological and pharmacologic approaches. Psychological treatment includes psychotherapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, support groups, parent training, educator/teacher training, biofeedback, meditation, and social skills training. Medications are reviewed that research has revealed can improve the core symptomatology of a child or adolescent with ADHD. These medications include stimulants, antidepressants, alpha-2 agonists, and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Management of ADHD should include a multi-modal approach, involving appropriate educational interventions, appropriate psychological management of the patient (child or adolescent), and judicious use of medications. Parents, school officials, and clinicians must work together to help all children and adolescents with ADHD achieve their maximum potential.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare a focused set of component neuropsychological executive functions in the DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder combined (ADHD-C) and inattentive (ADHD-I) subtypes. METHOD: The Stop task, Tower of London, Stroop task, Trailmaking Test, and output speed measures were completed by 105 boys and girls aged 7-12 classified as either DSM-IV ADHD-C (n = 46), ADHD-I (n = 18), or community control (n = 41). RESULTS: Both subtypes had deficits on output speed. A group x gender interaction was observed on the Stop task: boys with ADHD-C were impaired versus boys with ADHD-I, whereas girls in the two subtypes did not differ. The ADHD-C type had a deficit in planning. Neither ADHD group had a deficit in interference control per se, although they were slower than controls on the Stroop tasks. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD-I shares neuropsychological deficits with ADHD-C in the domain of output speed; on most domains the subtypes did not differ. Neuropsychological distinctions between these ADHD subtypes may be few, depending on which domain of executive functioning is assessed, and these distinctions differ by gender. In the case of boys, the two subtypes may be distinguished by the specificity of motor inhibition deficits to ADHD-C.
Psychotropic medications are increasingly used for very young children. Patterns of use in a well-described group of children 3 years and younger with a diagnostic label of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reveal both reasons to use such medications and concerns about how these medications are used. Of 223 children with ADHD, more than half (n = 127) received psychotropic medications in an idiosyncratic manner, both in the specific medication and in use over time. Almost half of the children who were medicated did not have opportunities for monitoring as often as every 3 months, despite the fact that more than half received psychotropic medications for 6 months or longer. Children with comorbid mental health conditions and chronic health conditions were at greater risk for receiving psychotropic medications. These patterns of use demonstrate a compelling need for guidance in psychopharmacological treatment of very young children.
The use of medication is an important element in the management of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An overview of basic psychopharmacologic principles is presented, followed by a review of medications that are well-documented as effective in the amelioration of ADHD symptomatology. These include stimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines, and pemoline), tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine, and nortriptyline), alpha2-agonists (clonidine and guanfacine), and bupropion. Medications used to treat comorbidities of ADHD (e.g., depression, anxiety, disruptive disorders) are not considered in this review. Psychopharmacology is a very useful tool as part of the overall management of ADHD in adolescents.