Attention-deficit disorders

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER If the child is hospitalized, the nurse enters a daily summary of the child s behavior in the patient s record. This provides a record of the results of therapy. 

Reductions in aggressive behavior after treatment with amphetamine and other psyehomotor stimulants are seen in children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with hyperkinesis or attention deficit disorder. There is considerable disagreement about these diagnostic categories and about whether the violent outbursts and uncontrolled episodes of aggressive behavior are limited to the early developmental period or continue into adulthood (Mendelson et al. 1971 Minde et al. 1972). 

It is important to carefully document core ADHD symptoms at baseline to provide a reference point from which to evaluate effectiveness of treatment. Improvement in individualized patient outcomes are desired, such as (1) family and social relationships, (2) disruptive behavior, (3) completing required tasks, (4) self-motivation, (5) appearance, and (6) self-esteem. It is very important to elicit evaluations of the patient s behavior from family, school, and social environments in order to assess the preceding. Using standardized rating scales (e.g., Conners Rating Scales-Revised, Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale, and IOWA Conners Scale) in both children and adults with ADHD helps to minimize variability in evaluation.29 After initiation of therapy, evaluations should be done every 2 to 4 weeks to determine efficacy of treatment, height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. Physical examination or liver function tests may be used to monitor for adverse effects. 

Low levels of DHA in the blood have been linked to dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and hyperactivity. They have also been linked to dementia, including Alzheimer s, in the elderly. Scientists have found that these conditions are much less prevalent in cul-... 

Reducing problematic behavior to biological causes calls for pharmaceutical solutions and here too powerful corporate interests foster such explanations. The redefinition of hyperactivity as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), for example, has significantly benefitted the pharmaceutical industry. The use of Ritalin as a treatment for ADD has doubled since 1995, and it is prescribed to over 4 million children in the US. Production of the drug is up 700 % since 1990, and 90 % of the production is consumed in the US where pharmaco-genomics is a burgeoning field. Europeans have been more cautious, and the International Narcotics Control Board of the UN has expressed concern about the growing tendency to redefine behavior as amenable to pharmaceutical modification. 

Additionally, impulse-control and attention problems, hyperactivity, and even antisocial behavior could be caused by a prenatal exposure to psychoactive drugs that escaped detection. Research has linked these conditions with known prenatal toxicity, and the consequences of low levels of prenatal exposure to psychoactive substances can sometimes be missed. In these instances, the symptoms are more likely to be observed as behavioral and attributed to other causes (such as Attention-Deficit Disorder). Recent research also suggests that children of mothers who may have used substances during pregnancy also may be at risk for drug problems later in life (Baer, Sampson, Barr, Connor, Streissguth, 2003). 

So what is wrong with Rebecca Is she on drugs Does she have Attention Deficit Disorder Was she exposed to alcohol or drugs as a fetus, and now the symptoms are beginning to be noticeable Does she exhibit early symptoms of a major mental disorder Is she abused or neglected at home How would you find out ... 

If I m having a bad day I sometimes still write, unless a reaction to a chemical is affecting my brain. When I can t think clearly, I can t write. And sometimes I feel so apathetic that I can t write. But I m thankful that I have the skill. I think education is so important to prevent others from getting this illness. I believe that chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sick building syndrome and similar conditions with other names are all forms of MCS. They ll find that out with more studies. People just don t know what s wrong with them. They think they ve got asthma, depression, attention deficit disorder and a lot of other problems that can be related to chemical exposures. 

Tourette s syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain and for the mai r other diseases [1]. 

Garfinkel BD, Webster CD, Sloman L. (1981). Responses to methylphenidate and varied doses of caffeine in children with attention deficit disorder. Can J Psychiatry. 26(6) 395-401. 

With respect to the dopamine Dj-hke receptors, including the dopamine receptor, which is ten times more sensitive to dopamine and has a much more narrow tissue expression than the dopamine Dj receptor, few studies have found evidence of coding variants associated with a disease state (41,42). Untranslated promoter SNPs, however, have been associated with various disease states (60). These studies, while equivocal, suggest association with bipolar disorder, alcohohsm, and attention-deficit disorder to name a few (60-65). 

Dextroamphetamine should be used with caution and only upon medicinal indication in treating narcolepsy, consequences of encephalitis, and other illnesses accompanied by apathy, drowsiness, asthenia, for temporary increase of physical and mental capacity, in treating attention deficit disorder in children, and in treating obesity.Synonyms of this drug are D-amphetamine, dexamphetamine, dexalone, tempodex, zenidex, and many others. 

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant similar to amphetamine however, in usual doses it has a more expressed action on mental activity rather than physical or motor activity. In therapeutic doses it does not raise blood pressure, respiratory rate, or increase heart rate. All of these effects as well as a number of others are associated with general excitement of the CNS. Tremor, tachycardia, hyperpyrexia, and a state of confusion can result from using large doses. It is used in treating moderate depression and apathetic conditions, and also as an adjuvant drug for treating attention deficit disorder in children.Synonyms of this dmg are meridil, ritalin, and others. 

Pemoline is used for narcolepsy and for relieving drowsiness, as well as in treating attention-deficit disorder in children. Synonyms of this drug are tradon, deltamine, volital, phenoxazole, antimeran, cylert, and others. 

Administer at the lowest effective dosage and adjust individually. Avoid late evening doses, particularly with the long-acting form, because of the resulting insomnia. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) When treating ADD in children, occasionally interrupt drug administration to determine if there is a recurrence of behavioral symptoms sufficient to require continued therapy. 

Attention deficit disorder (ADD)/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) As an integral part of a total treatment program that typically includes other remedial... 

Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine also are indicated for attention deficit disorders in children, as part of a total treatment program. For complete prescribing information on the amphetamines for this and other uses, consult the general amphetamine monograph. 

Nicotine also affects the developing fetus. Adverse effects of chronic nicotine consumption during pregnancy include reduced infant birth weight, attention deficit disorders, and other cognitive problems. Nicotine receptors are expressed early during development, and it is not clear what other effects nicotine exposure during development has on the fetus. 

The therapeutic indications for the psychomotor stimulants are quite limited. They are beneficial in the treatment of the hyperkinetic syndrome (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with minimal brain dysfunction). This is generally a childhood disease characterized by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and impulsive behavior. Amphetamines and the more extensively used methylphenidate paradoxically are quite effective in calming a large proportion of children with this disorder. Pemoline Cylert) is also used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperkinetic behavior. The mechanism by which these compounds are effective in this disorder is not known. 

D. Attention deficit-hyperkinetic disorder and attention deficit disorder are among only a few approved uses of the psychomotor stimulants of the amphetamine type. 

These numbers appear in C. Malacrida, Cold Comfort Mothers, Professionals, and Attention Deficit Disorder (Toronto University of Toronto Press, 2003), p. 25. 

Ernst, M., Zametkin, A.J., Matochik, J.A., Jons, P.H., and Cohen, R.M. (1998) DOPA decarboxylase activity in attention deficit disorder adults. A [fluorine-18]fluorodopa positron emission tomographic study. / Neurosci 18 5901-5907. 

---