No cure exists for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the following medications need to be considered.
• Stimulants
a) Binds to dopamine receptors
b) Works mostly in the cerebellum region of the brain
c) Takes effect in 2-3 weeks, and dosage doesn’t have to be increased
for several years.
1) Ritalin (in 2006, a patch was approved).
2) Amphetamine
3) Dexadrine
• Non-Stimulants
a) Not addictive
b) Slight increase in suicidal thoughts
c) Blocks Nor-Epinephrine; therefore, not as quick acting as stimulants
d) Works mostly in the cortex region of the brain
1) Atomoxetine
• Antihypertensive Agents
1) Clonidine (which works on the alpha receptors in the central nervous system)
• Antidepressants
1) BuProprion (works on the neuro-chemicals of dopamine or nor-epinephrine)
• Other
1) Effexor (Not particularly effective)
2) Cholinergic Agents such as used in Alzheimer’s Disease (research being done, this avenue looks hopeful)
3) Neurileptics (Strong Anti-Psychotic Drugs which should only be used in very severe cases, and then require very careful monitoring)
Catecholamine Mechanisms
Nor-epinephrine is a catecholamine. It works in the cortex of the brain.
• Posterior Parietal cortex (this is the area of the brain which calls our attention to something we need to focus on intensively)
• Prefontal Cortex (this is the area of the brain that filters in-coming stimuli and prioritizes which ones require action first).
The problem with any medication is that the side effects are similar to the symptoms of the disorder. Therefore, the medication is sometimes reduced or eliminated when the practitioner thinks side effects are causing problems (i.e. trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiousness, etc.). However, the medication should have been increased, as what the practitioner is really seeing, are the symptoms of the disease. This situation often confounds the treatment phase of this illness.
Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress, 2006
Http://viss.cmellc.com/psychcongress/
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