What does ADHD consist of?
What is the prevalence of ADHD amongst school-age children?
Depending on diagnostic criteria, ranges from 1-2% to 3-9%
How does the prevalence of ADHD compare between boys and girls?
3x more common in boys
What are the risk factors associated with ADHD?
What environmental toxin is ADHD particularly associated with?
Lead
Give an example of a syndromic association of ADHD?
Neurofibromatosis type 1
What illustrates a genetic element of ADHD?
Twin studies, adoption studies, and sibling studies have been carried out and there is a strong condorance between close family history of ADHD and risk of developing the disorder
Has a particular gene locus for ADHD been identified?
No
What pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed in ADHD?
What evidence is there that alterations in neural networks lead to symptoms of ADHD?
Imaging studies have suggested that a number of regions of the brain may contribute to the clinical manifestations of ADHD
What regions of the brain have imaging studies shown may contribute to the clinical manifestations of ADHD?
What evidence is there that ADHD is due to frontal lobe dysfunction?
What evidence is there that there are differences in dopaminergic pathways in the brains of children with ADHD?
Stimulant medications used in the management of ADHD increase dopamine levels in the brain and produce symptomatic improvement
What is the limitation of the hypothesis that there are differences in dopaminergic pathways in brains of children with ADHD?
Complex interactions of neurotransmitters in the brain and non-specific mechansims of action of stimulant medication make it difficult to conclude that dysfunction of dopaminergic pathways is the sole aetiological factor of ADHD
What are the options for management in ADHD?
- Medications
What are the options for behavioural management in ADHD?
What needs to be ensured regarding the school in the management of ADHD?
- Appropriate strategies put in place for managing child within school environment
When is medication commenced in ADHD?
ADHD causing severe impairment to daily activities and learning
What needs to be done prior to medicating for ADHD?
- Physical examination
What does the physical examination prior to starting on medication for ADHD need to include?
When is an ECG required prior to starting on medication for ADHD?
If significant personal or family history of cardiac disease
What are the main drugs of choice for ADHD?
What preperations of methylphenidate can be dispended?
What is the first line drug in ADHD?
Methylphenidate