Attention deficit disorder in adolescents

The attention deficit disorder syndrome is one of the most common psychiatric problems of childhood. Previously, the prevailing view of the outcome of this disorder in adolescents was that it was a relatively benign condition and that most children “outgrew their problems” by adolescence. This article reviews data to suggest that the outcome of the untreated ADD syndrome in childhood is rather poor in the adolescent age group. The data also suggest that, contrary to what had been previously promulgated, stimulant treatment of adolescents with this disorder is probably as effective as treating children with this disorder with stimulant medication. However, a multimodality treatment approach will most likely be necessary for the majority of adolescents with this syndrome.     

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and executive dysfunction

To evaluate the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and executive functioning (EF) a sample of ADHD children (N = 48) with above average IQs (median = 117.5) was administered a battery of standardized norm‐referenced tests sensitive to EF. Below average performance was found on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and continuous performance test (Test of Variables of Attention, TOVA) but not on Word Fluency or the Rey Complex Figure. Significant intraindividual discrepancies were found for a selected pair of content‐matched tests that differed in EF task demands. Pennington, Groisser, and Welsh's (1993) “double dissociation” of ADHD and reading disability (RD) was tested by examining the EF performance of ADHD with and without RD. No significant differences between ADHD/No‐RD and ADHD/RD were found on any of the EF measures.     

Evidence-based assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.

This article examines evidence-based assessment practices for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nature, symptoms, associated features, and comorbidity of ADHD are briefly described, followed by a selective review of the literature on the reliability and validity of ADHD assessment methods. It is concluded that symptom rating scales based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. [DSM-IV]; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), empirically and rationally derived ADHD rating scales, structured interviews, global impairment measures, and behavioral observations are evidence-based ADHD assessment methods. The most efficient assessment method is obtaining information through parent and teacher rating scales; both parent and teacher ratings are needed for clinical purposes. Brief, non-DSM based rating scales are highly correlated with DSM scales but are much more efficient and just as effective at diagnosing ADHD. No incremental validity or utility is conferred by structured interviews when parent and teacher ratings are utilized. Observational procedures are empirically valid but not practical for clinical use. However, individualized assessments of specific target behaviors approximate observations and have both validity and treatment utility. Measures of impairment that report functioning in key domains (peer, family, school) as well as globally have more treatment utility than nonspecific global measures of impairment. DSM diagnosis per se has not been demonstrated to have treatment utility, so the diagnostic phase of assessment should be completed with minimal time and expense so that resources can be focused on other aspects of assessment, particularly treatment planning. We argue that the main focus of assessment should be on target behavior selection, contextual factors, functional analyses, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring.     

Neurofeedback in adolescents and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Neurofeedback is being utilized more commonly today in treating individuals who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neurofeedback, which is based on theories that recognize the organic basis of ADHD, utilizes biofeedback to guide individuals to regulate their brain activity. Neurofeedback relies on research that has demonstrated that most individuals who have ADHD, as compared to matched peers, have excess slow wave activity and reduced fast wave activity. It provides immediate feedback to the individual about his or her brain wave activity in the form of a video game, whose action is influenced by the individual's meeting predetermined thresholds of brain activity. Over several sessions of using the video and auditory feedback, individuals reduce their slow wave activity and/or increase their fast wave activity. Individuals who complete a course of training sessions often show reduced primary ADHD symptoms. Research has shown that neurofeedback outcomes compare favorably to those of stimulant medication.     

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD): adolescents perspective

Three hundred and eight pupils in the age group 12-18 years were interviewed and examined. They had been diagnosed as having attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), and were attending a high school devoted to special education. Their classification into subgroups was as follows: ADHD - inattentive (I) = 22.1%, ADHD - hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) = 12.3% and combined = 42.2%. Only 25% of them were treated by methylphenidate (Ritalin). Ninety-four percent of them were diagnosed with comorbidity of 'learning disabilities'. Thirty-four percent of them reported being severely stressed when going to school and sitting in class. Their complaints were: tiredness and excessive needs to sleep, frequent quarrelling with close friends, feeling different from other classmates and having low self-esteem (SE). They complaint that their parents don't understand them. Things that irritated them the most were being lied to and coercion by others. The authors suggest to consider ADHD/LD as neurobehavioral disability. It is mandatory to prepare them for adult life with proper social skills and a suitable occupation.     

The role of the family for behavioral outcome in children and adolescents following traumatic brain injury

This study assessed the behavioral outcome of 51 children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) up to 2 years following injury. Children with severe injuries, but not those with mild or moderate injuries, were reported by parents to have a greater incidence of behavior problems following TBI. Regression analyses indicated that the presence of a partner for the primary caregiver of the child and the acute emotional reaction of the parent to the injury were both predictive of child behavioral outcome, although not by 2-year follow-up. These findings suggest that parental coping resources may impact on the development of child behavioral sequelae following TBI, emphasizing the role of the family in the child's response and the importance of supportive intervention.     

Corpus callosum morphology in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analytic review

Several studies have examined corpus callosum (CC) morphology in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A meta-analysis of atypical brain morphology in children and adolescents with ADHD by Valera, Faraone, Murray, and Seidman (2006) reported a reduction in the splenium of the CC in this group compared with healthy controls. This meta-analysis undertook a more detailed examination of callosal morphology by also considering comorbid conditions and gender differences. The data from 13 studies were analyzed. Consistent with Valera et al. (2006), the splenium was smaller in children and adolescents with ADHD than in healthy controls. However, this result appears to be the result of a smaller splenium in females with ADHD. In addition, boys exhibited a smaller rostral body. There were no significant differences in CC measurements of studies that included ADHD samples with comorbid conditions. However, comorbidities were not consistently reported, making it difficult to accurately evaluate the impact of comorbidity on CC size. Additional research is needed to investigate whether gender differences reflect different ADHD subtypes. In addition, it is not known if these CC differences persist into adulthood.     

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sleep disturbances: consideration of parental influence

Parent report of sleep-related problems among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common and may stem from several different factors. This study examined the extent to which parental influence predicted sleep problems among 67 children, ages 5 to 12, meeting a research diagnosis of ADHD. The majority of parents/caregivers (73%) reported significant child sleep difficulties. Parental implementation of daily routines added to the explained variance in bedtime resistance after considering child and family characteristics (e.g., age, medication, and family income) but was not a significant predictor of sleep problems overall. Parenting stress was not a significant predictor of child sleep problems. Results suggest that implementation of consistent routines, especially those related to bedtime, may be a key factor in facilitating improved sleep among children who display behaviors consistent with ADHD.     

Porteus Maze performance following traumatic brain injury in children.

To investigate planning in traumatically brain injured children, the authors gave the Porteus Maze Test (PMT; S. D. Porteus, 1959) to 276 pediatric patients who had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 3 years previously. Sensitivity of the PMT to TBI severity, age at test, and volume of focal brain lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging was also studied. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (L. M. Dunn & L. M. Dunn, 1981) was also administered as a control measure. Results indicated that the PMT was highly sensitive to TBI severity and to volume of circumscribed prefrontal lesions. In contrast to the PMT data, receptive vocabulary was related to injury severity but not to discrete prefrontal lesions. Implications for mechanisms of cognitive deficit after TBI in children are discussed.     

Personality assessment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The present research was designed to assess several potentially important factors in the personality structure of a sample of children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) as compared to normal control children. Three questionnaires were administered to a group of 28 ADHD boys and to a control group of 83 boys: (1) The Locus of Control Scale for Children; (2) The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale; and (3) The Persistence Scale for Children. Results showed that the ADHD children had significantly higher external locus of control, were significantly less persistent, and reported an elevated level of “concentration/social worry” (an anxiety subscale). Such findings can help to clarify both the personality structure and the coping styles of the ADHD child.     

Mean platelet volume in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The mean platelet volume (MPV), the accurate measure of platelet size, is considered a marker and determinant of platelet function. MPV can be a potentially useful prognostic biomarker in patients with cardiovascular disease. After reviewing literature, we hypothesized that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood. The aim of this study was investigation of MPV and platelet count (PLT) in children with ADHD and healthy subjects. The MPV and the PLT were measured in 70 children with ADHD (aged 6–16 years), and compared with 41 healthy controls. The MPV was found to be significantly increased in ADHD group compared to control group (p = .006). There was no significant difference in the PLT between groups (p > .05). To our knowledge, this was the first study of investigating the levels of MPV and PLT in children with ADHD. Although significance and cause of increased MPV level in ADHD remain unclear in present study, further studies are warranted to investigate relationships among MPV, ADHD in childhood and CHD in adulthood.     

注意缺陷多动障碍儿童的工作记忆损害特征

目的:探讨注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)儿童工作记忆功能特征。方法:本研究为横断面研究。根据美国精神疾病诊断和统计手册第4版(DSM-IV),对符合ADHD诊断标准的未经治疗的100名门诊患儿及年龄、性别相匹配的100名正常儿童分别采用韦氏儿童智力测验量表中国修订本(C-WISC)及其中的顺背数字(反映言语存贮、加工)、倒背数字(反映言语存贮、加工、中央执行)、Corsi木块和空间n-Back任务(反映视空间存贮和中央执行)进行言语及空间工作记忆测试。结果:ADHD组儿童在顺背数字最高位数及总得分、倒背数字最高位数及总得分、Corsi木块最多木块数及总得分均低于对照组儿童,空间2-Back任务反应时短于对照组儿童(均P0.05)。结论:ADHD儿童存在工作记忆功能缺陷,此缺陷涉及言语环路、视空间存贮系统及中央执行。