Diagnostic Issues and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADD ADHD

Clinical utility of the test of variables of attention (TOVA) in the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Journal of Clinical Psychology
Volume 54, Issue 4, 1998. Pages: 461-476
Published Online: 6 Dec 1998

Ability of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) to distinguish between referred children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other (OTHER) clinical diagnoses were studied.

The ADHD group differed from the OTHER group on TOVA variables and most measures from the Revised Conners Teacher Rating Scale (RCTRS) and ADD-H Comprehensive Teacher's Rating Scale (ACTeRS). Read more of the article...

Behavioral and neuropsychological correlates of hyperactivity and inattention in Brazilian school children

Brito GN, Pereira CC, Santos-Morales TR
Dev Med Child Neurol 1999 Nov;41(11):732-9

Departamento de Pediatria, Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil. ccsgnob@vm.uff.br

Attempts at subtyping attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along the hyperactivity dimension are considered controversial.

This study addresses this issue by dividing a non-clinical sample of Brazilian children (mean age, 9.4 years; SD, 2.9), who were attending a mainstream school in the Greater Rio de Janeiro area, into four behavioral domain groups ( Read more of the article...

• normal [NO, N=324],
• hyperactive/impulsive [HI, N=17],

National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement: Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Issue: Feb, 2000

ABSTRACT

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood that represents a costly major public health problem.

Despite progress, ADHD and its treatment have remained controversial, especially the use of psychostimulants for both short- and long-term treatment.

Although an independent diagnostic test for ADHD does not exist, there is evidence supporting the validity of the disorder. Read more of the article...

ADHD: The Multimodal Treatment Study—Questions and Answers

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common of the psychiatric disorders that appear in childhood, are often the subject of great concern on the part of parents and teachers. Children with ADHD are unable to stay focused on a task, cannot sit still, act without thinking, and rarely finish anything. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term effects on a child's ability to make friends or do well at school or in other activities. Over time, children with ADHD may develop depression, lack of self-esteem, and other emotional problems. Read more of the article...

Association of the Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) With Poor Methylphenidate Response

Author/s: Bertrand G. Winsberg
Issue: Dec, 1999

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study attempted to relate the alleles of the [D.sub.2] (DRD2), [D.sub.4] (DRD4), and dopamine transporter (DAT1) genes to the behavioral outcome of methylphenidate therapy.

Method: African-American children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were treated with methylphenidate in doses not in excess of 60 mg/day.

The dosage was increased until behavioral change was achieved, using a decrement in scores of less than or equal to 1 on a commonly used rating scale or until the maximum tolerated dose was achieved. Read more of the article...

Treatment Services for Children With ADHD: A National Perspective

Author/s: Kimberly Hoagwood
Issue: Feb, 2000

ABSTRACT

Objective: To summarize knowledge on treatment services for children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), trends in services from 1989 to 1996, types of services provided, service mix, and barriers to care.

Method: A review of the literature and analyses from 2 national surveys of physician practices are presented.

Results: Major shifts have occurred in stimulant prescriptions since 1989, with prescriptions now comprising three fourths of all visits to physicians by children with ADHD. Read more of the article...