Psychiatric Drugs: The New Pharmacopoeia

Newsweeks' April 25th issue has an article that investigates the pros and cons of the psychiatric drugs on the market today to treat ADHD.

Dr. Steven Scholzmann summarize the balancing act as follows:

"We can't dismiss the dangers of these drugs—but we must also respect the dangers of the illnesses themselves. Kids with untreated ADHD lag behind kids on medication—both at school and in their emotional and physical development. They also have high rates of substance abuse. And untreated mood and anxiety disorders are major risk factors for suicide, the third leading cause of death in young people."

Newsweek article: Psychiatric Drugs: The New Pharmacopoeia

ADHD Brain Scans

Brain scans show a physiological effect, but a complete understanding of ADHD / ADD is still elusive

The Orlando Sentinal has a good report on the state of brain imaging for ADHD today.

The paper notes that "imaging technology has allowed scientists to see that brain structure and brain activity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are markedly different than in nonafflicted children."

(Photo above - normal brain on left, ADHD brain on right) These images created by scanning the brains of ADHD-positive children support theories that the ADHD has a physiological basis in the brain -- "which contradicts skeptics who view the disorder as nothing more than initials that stand for an unruly, undisciplined brat."

"People don't believe in things until they see a picture," says Michael Stevens, researcher at the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living.

ADHD Skin Patch

Source: Shire Pharmaceuticals Marketing Dept.

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) today announced positive preliminary results from clinical trials of its methylphenidate transdermal system* (MTS) which is being developed in conjunction with Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc. for children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

These trial results will be included as part of an amendment to the New Drug Application for the product currently pending at the FDA. Both Shire and Noven believe that the studies will address the issues raised by the FDA's review in April 2003. The FDA has previously confirmed that the amendment will be reviewed within six months after submission.

The two studies, a phase 2 study involving 79 patients over a seven week period and a phase 3 study involving 268 patients over a seven week period, examined MTS in children between the ages of 6 and 12 previously diagnosed with ADHD. In these studies, use of MTS was well tolerated and the objectives of both studies were achieved.