A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics caused quite a bit of a stir in finding a possible link between acetaminophen taken during pregnancy and later childhood ADHD. Acetaminophen has been one of the few medications that has been thought to be pretty safe to use during pregnancy and thus has been the “go to” […]
ADHD Diagnosis Rising Nationally, but not in Vermont
The diagnosis of ADHD has been getting a lot of media attention lately over concerns about possible overdiagnosis and overtreatment. A recent study from the CDC’s National Survey of Children’s Health now provides important national statistics regarding the prevalence of ADHD, as reported by parents, and the trends over time. Reports from this survey previously […]
Does Atomoxetine Actually Work? Results from a Recent Meta-Analysis
Atomoxetine was FDA approved for ADHD in 2002 and touted as a true alternative to stimulants. While it remains popular today, many clinicians report less than stellar results in treating the core symptoms of ADHD. This recent review and meta-analysis by Schwartz and Correll examines all randomized controlled studies of atomoxetine versus placebo. While meta-analyses […]
Tags: adhd, atomoxetine, strattera
Vermont 34th in Rate of Stimulant Treatment
The popular press has been abuzz with articles on ADHD, with many suggesting that the diagnosis is much overused and that medication treatment is basically a way that affluent parents give their children an academic advantage. In the midst of all this controversy comes a recent and interesting study in the journal Psychiatric Methods, […]
Parent Training Rated as First Line Treatment for Preschool ADHD
Recent practice guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics now include a recommendation for assessment and intervention for ADHD before they begin elementary school, but many clinicians are unsure about exactly what treatment to recommend. A recent paper sponsored by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and published in the the journal JAMA […]
FDA approves EEG Diagnostic Aid for ADHD
One of the holy grails in mental health assessment is the search for some kind of objective test that can accurately diagnose psychiatric disorders. While the literature is full of genetic, imaging, neuropsychological, and other factors that show statistically significant links with many psychiatric conditions, none has proven robust enough for clinical use. However, the […]
ADHD Medications and School Performance
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article casting doubt about the ability of ADHD medications to improve school grades and achievement. Actually, casting doubt might be a little soft as the title was “ADHD Drugs Don’t Boost Grades.” In the article, the author runs through a number of studies (some not published) that find […]
Tags: add, adhd, grades, school performance
ADHD Diagnosed in 11% of Youth, According to New York Times
The New York Times is reporting data they received from the CDC’s National Survey of Children’s Health that the number of children who have received a diagnosis of ADHD has risen to 11% with some segments of the population, such as high school boys, as high as 20%. The data come from phone interviews of […]
Preschool ADHD: The Picture Six Years Later
It is commonly believed inattentive and hyperactive preschool children will likely “grow out” of these problems later in life. Good data to support this claim, however, are lacking. The Preschool Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS) was one of the most comprehensive studies to date on very young children with ADHD. This recent report on the […]
Stimulants for Cognitive Enhancement – Social Justice or Cosmetic Psychopharmacology?
A thought provoking article in the NY times raises questions about the practice of giving stimulant medications to children who don’t meet criteria for ADHD but who nonetheless might benefit from their effects. While the issue of stimulants being taken by competitive students trying to gain an edge in college has been well documented, this […]