March 2004 Newsletter

SAMPLE COMMENTS FROM OUR SUBSCRIBERS
We couldn't be more pleased with the response of our subscribers to myADHD.com, says Harvey C. Parker, Ph.D., founder of the site. In a recent survey of subscriber satisfaction many reported being very satisfied with myADHD.com tools. Below are some of the statements from our satisfied subscribers.

Very valuable tool in the evaluation and treatment process of ADHD management. I have suggested it to many other physicians and staffers....J. Mike White, M.D., Cleburne, Texas

I find myADHD.com is very good at helping me get timely feedback from teachers. I especially like to be able to get information to compare baseline to medication comparisons....Roger C. Gronau, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist, Beloit, Wisconsin

I've been in private practice as a Medical Psychotherapist for over 20 years. While I have had access to much of the information prior to using myADHD.com, life has become much easier because it is now all in one place. This has been an invaluable asset to my practice as it is a big time saver. Thank you!...Regina M. Cashman, M.A, A.B.M.P.D. Medical Psychotherapist www.AddCoach.info, Stamford, Connecticut

An innovative and accessible toolbox that solves the age-old problem of linking families of children with ADHD with their health care providers and educators....Leo Christie, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Jacksonville, Florida

Subscribe to myADHD.com today!

Once a day dosing of methylphenidate an effective treatment for ADHD over 12 months.
The ADHD Report (February 2004) summarizes a study by Wilens, et al. investigating the effects of once-daily methylphenidate given over twelve months. Children age 6 to 13 who had a good response to OROS methylphenidate (Concerta) continued to receive this medication over a 12-month period. Mean starting dose was 1.09 mg/kg and increased to 1.26 mg/kg at 12 months. Parents and teachers provided rating scale information measuring ADHD symptoms. Reductions in ADHD symptoms were significant at the start of treatment and these reductions were maintained over the twelve months. Nearly 70% of parents reported no significant problems in sleep and no adverse effects on height, weight, or vital signs were reported. Peer interactions improved with treatment and though there was some exacerbation in tics it was only in a small number of study participants.

Study explores efficacy of psychostimulant medication in a sample of preschoolers .
Twenty-eight preschoolers (ages 4.0 - 5.9) diagnosed with ADHD received various dosing levels of a stimulant in a placebo-controlled crossover design study by Elizabeth Short and colleagues as reported in the March 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Best dose was determined based on the lowest scores on the Abbreviated Symptoms Questionnaire. Preschoolers' behavioral ratings by parents and teachers were improved as a function of stimulant medication with over 82% of the medicated sample improving substantially in their behavior ratings. Side effects were infrequent at best dose of medication.

Methylphenidate (MPH) improves visual-spatial memory in children with ADHD.
Also in the March 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry a team of Canadian investigators (Bedard, et al.) studied the effect of MPH on visual-spatial memory in children with ADHD, as measured by subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Visual-spatial memory is a core component of working memory that has been shown to be impaired in those with ADHD. Twenty-six school-age children with a confirmed DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD completed tests of visual-spatial memory, planning ability and recognition memory with