Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T07:51:40.076Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Current Treatments of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genetic disorder that affects both children and adults. Genetic studies have shown the heritability of ADHD to be higher than other psychiatric disorders. In addition, imaging studies have revealed various structural anomalies in the brain.

Often ADHD persists into adulthood. The presentation of ADHD into adulthood most often results from childhood onset of ADHD. Symptoms of inattention and functional behavior tend to persist. These symptoms may often be less obvious, with less overt hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Stimulant medications remain the predominant choice for the treatment of ADHD. They are safe and offer good response. Common adverse reactions can usually be removed by changing the dose and the timing of medication administration. Of the second-line agents for treating ADHD, the tricyclic antidepressants have generated the most studies and have proved fairly efficacious.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Swanson, JM, Sunohara, GA, Kennedy, JL, et al.Association of the dopamine transporter D4 (DRD4) gene with a refined phenotype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mol Psychiatry. 1998;3:3841.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Cook, EH Jr., Stein, MA, Krasowski, MD, et al.Association of attention-deficit disorder and the dopamine transporter gene. Am J Hum Genet. 1995;56:993998.Google ScholarPubMed
3.Castellanos, FX, Giedd, JN, Marsh, WL, et al.Quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996;53:607616.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Semrud-Clikeman, M, Filipek, PA, et al.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: magnetic resonance imaging morphometric analysis of the corpus callosum. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1994;33:875881.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Mostofsky, SH, Reiss, AL, Lockhart, P, Denckla, MB. Evaluation of cerebellar size in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Child Neurol. 1998;13:434439.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Rubia, K, Overmeyer, S, Taylor, E, et al.Hypofrontality in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during higher-order motor control: A study with functional MRI. Am J Psychiatry. 1999;156:891896. 1995;52:444-455.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Swanson, JM, Wigal, S, Greenhill, LL, et al.Analog classroom assessment of Adderall in children with ADHD. J Am Acad Child Adalesc Psychiatry. 1998;37:519526.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Pelham, WE, Midlam, JK, Gnagy, EM, et al.A comparison of Ritalin and Adderall: efficacy and time-course in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;103143.Google ScholarPubMed
9.Pliszka, SR, Browne, R, Olvera, RL, et al.A double-blind placebo controlled trial of Adderall and methylphendiate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2000. In press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
1.Gittelman, R, Mannuzza, S, et al.Hyperactive boys almost grown up: I. Psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psych. 1985;42:937947.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Weiss, G, Hechtman, L, et al.Psychiatric status of hyperactives as adults: a controlled prospective 15-year follow-up of 63 hyperactive children. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry. 1985;24:211220.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Murphy, K and Barkley, R. Prevalence of DSM-IV symptoms of ADHD in adult licensed drivers: implications for clinical diagnosis. J Attention Disord. 1996;1:147161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Barkley, R. ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control. 1997: New York.Google Scholar
5.Dougherty, DD, Bonab, AA, et al.Dopamine transporter density is elevated in patients with ADHD. Lancet. 1999;354:2132.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Wilens, TE, Biederman, J, et al.Six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of desipramine for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 1996;153:11471153.Google ScholarPubMed