Studies Identify Key Genes for Intelligence, Depression, ADHD, and Autism
Intelligence and a sense of well-being may result from just over 1,000 of our genes—as little as 4% of our genome—while depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia could be caused by even fewer, according to two studies published in Nature Genetics on Monday.
Read MoreAddiction and ADHD
But what about the people who truly do have ADHD? Are they more likely than others to develop an addiction? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. According to American Addiction Centers, adults who struggle with alcohol abuse are 5-10 times more likely to have ADHD than the general population. And up to a quarter (25%) of…
Read MoreCutting Edge’ Program For Children With Autism And ADHD Rests On Razor-Thin Evidence
The fear of psychotropic drugs led the family to pursue alternative treatments for autism…Then one day, as Natalie roamed the aisles of a gluten-free expo in a Chicago suburb not far from where the family lives, she came across a booth for a Brain Balance Achievement Center.
Read MoreInfluence of Psychostimulants on BMI and Height in Youth With ADHD
Among youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), declines in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-sds) and height-sds were observed after 18 months of psychostimulant treatment, according to research published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. However, researchers advocate further studies after finding that correlations with dosage were weak and that declines in BMI…
Read MoreWhen Stimulants Help With Anxiety
When my psychiatrist first prescribed medication for my ADHD, I remember reading the side effects and asking him “this isn’t going to make my anxiety worse, is it?” His response was basically “we’ll just have to wait and see.” Just like coffee isn’t known to relax people, stimulants in general are recognized for their potential…
Read MoreHow the opioid epidemic has impacted access to other scheduled drugs, like ADHD medication
Starting June 1, Michigan doctors are now required to review a patient’s full history in the state prescriber registry, otherwise known as MAPS. This newest mandate is one of many legislative efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Dr. Lisa Lowery, chief of adolescent medicine at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, said these are tools they have…
Read MorePredictors of Long-term Medication Adherence in Children With ADHD
Results of a prospective longitudinal cohort study published in Pediatrics suggest that long-term medication adherence among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is correlated with treatment acceptance and parent perception of medication need.
Read MoreHow ADHD Affects My Son and Daughter Differently
As a mother, I know firsthand that girls are less likely than boys to be diagnosed with ADHD and often handle the challenges differently…Girls are underdiagnosed or diagnosed at a later age because they often present with the inattentive type. Inattentiveness is many times not noticed by parents until children go to school and have…
Read MoreIf Your Child Was Just Diagnosed With ADHD, Here’s What I Want You to Know
“Yes, Lucas has ADHD.” It’s been five years since our doctor spoke those words. We’d suspected it since Lucas was in preschool, but the official diagnosis at age 7 changed the conversation. No more wondering. Now there were decisions to make. A future to consider. A truckload of panic to work through.
Read MoreResearchers identify 3 novel etiological pathways underlying impairments in adolescent and adult ADHD
Researchers have identified three partially separable pathways leading to cognitive-neurophysiological impairments in adolescents and young adults with persistent ADHD—or ADHD first diagnosed in childhood, as detailed in a recent study in the Journal of Attention Disorder.
Read MoreSpotlight on special education: Who’s included in Berkeley’s ‘full inclusion’ program?
Berkeley Unified has taken an unusually ambitious approach to serving students with special needs. Has the district done enough to ensure its success? In a special two-part series, Berkeleyside is examining BUSD’s special-education model, as the district evaluates its own program and prepares for departmental changes.
Read MoreAntipsychotic Drugs for ADHD Increase Risk of Obesity and Diabetes in Children, Study Says
It has been known among psychiatrists and other medical professionals that taking antipsychotic drugs makes younger patients prone to gaining weight. However, a recent study has revealed that such medications also put them at a higher risk of becoming diabetic. These are the same drugs used to treat children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder…
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