An international team of scientists has unlocked some of the genes responsible for cognitive ability. The findings bring scientists a step closer to developing new -- and potentially better -- treatments for cognitive disorders of the brain, such as schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

There are many topics within the child psychiatry community that are controversial. How many kids really deserve a diagnosis of bipolar disorder? Which type of therapy works best? Is cannabis a gateway drug? The existence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a legitimate psychiatric entity, however, is not one of them. Despite this fact, there remains considerable controversy in the public about how “real” ADHD actually is.

Some studies suggest that caffeine could be useful as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, experts are saying that it should be taken with caution especially if people have certain conditions to consider.

General interest in complementary and alternative medicine continues to grow. Particularly in light of concerns about the safety and effectiveness of standard medical treatments, half of all parents of children with ADHD use alternative treatments in some way, according to studies cited in Neural Plasticity.

The first day of school marks the beginning of a new phase in a child's life and the start of a future full of possibilities. It's for this reason both parents and teachers should be acutely aware of the symptoms of ADHD to ensure they don't go unnoticed – and untreated...Child psychiatrist and author Dr Brendan Belsham says grade one is a time when children with ADHD display the symptoms of ADHD more obviously than in previous years."

One in 20 children and young adults in Ontario are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a high percentage of them are prescribed antipsychotic drugs, even though their rate of psychosis is low, according to researchers of a new study released on Wednesday. The study, published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, found 11.9 per cent of young ADHD patients between the ages of 1 and 24 were prescribed antipsychotic medication.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders frequently occur together. These conditions can simply exist simultaneously, or ADHD may contribute to the development of the anxiety disorder. Sometimes, symptoms can be difficult to tell apart from one another. Learning about the differences between the two disorders is important in the management and treatment of both.