ADHD in the News 2016-02-17
Psychotropic prescriptions for toddlers increase as ADHD cases, psychiatric conditions rise
To determine the scope and implications of this issue, Infectious Diseases in Children spoke with several experts, including child psychiatrists and general pediatricians, about the reliability of raw statistical prescription data, the difficulties associated with diagnosing behavioral and psychiatric conditions among young children, the effectiveness of psychological therapy and the risk-benefit associated with off-label use of psychotropic drugs.
Adderall misuse rising among young adults
The stimulant Adderall, widely prescribed for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is the drug of choice misused by students and young professionals who believe they need it to focus while studying all night for an exam or to help them learn faster. New research finds misuse of the drug has been growing, and comes with many risks.
Mini Quiz: Addiction on Campus
Which of the following is the most commonly abused drug among college students?
A. Medically unsupervised stimulants (ie methylphenidate, amphetamine salts)
B. Marijuana
C. Cocaine
D. Benzodiazepines
E. Hallucinogens
Age-Specific Effects of Methylphenidate in ADHD
These studies reveal that long-term methylphenidate affects adult and adolescent brains differently. Anita Thapar and Miriam Cooper, authors of a recent review published in The Lancet, point out that, “[how] ADHD is best managed across the lifespan and across key transition periods (eg, school entry, comprehensive or high-school entry, transition to adult services, and transition to parenthood) needs much more investigation.”
Research Hints at Promise and Difficulty of Helping People With A.D.H.D. Learn
Over the past few decades, cognitive scientists have found that small alterations in how people study can accelerate and deepen learning, improving retention and comprehension in a range of subjects, including math, science and foreign languages...Now, two new studies explore the effectiveness of one common cognitive science technique — the so-called testing effect — for people with attention-deficit problems, one of the most commonly diagnosed learning disabilities.
ADHD prevalence greatest in children with uncorrected vision problems
Researchers found that children in a large national sample who had vision problems were more likely to have a current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than those without vision problems. The study encompassed 75,171 children without intellectual impairment who were 4 to 17 years old and part of the 2011 to 2012 National Survey of Children’s Health, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
By the numbers: An in depth look at ADHD medications administered in area schools
More than 7 percent of children aged 6-17 used prescribed medications for emotional or behavioral difficulties, a 2014 nationwide study by the Centers for Disease Control found...The Contact 5 investigators were intrigued by this number and wanted to learn more. We requested a list of medications administered at schools in the past 5 years from the Palm Beach County Healthcare District, which runs the school nurses program.
ADHD medication: How young is too young?
Read comment from an expert whom Infectious Diseases in Children asked for her opinion on whether pharmacological intervention should be recommended to children aged younger than 4 years, and if the benefit of treatment significantly improves the quality of life for the child and the family.
Practice Patterns for ADHD and Other Disorders Collide
Recent data show that widespread discrepancy exists between clinical guidelines and practice patterns for ADHD, dementia, and bipolar disorder. This slideshow presents 3 examples of very common clinical situations where practice patterns and clinical
guidelines diverge significantly.