Thursday, December 11, 2003

Measuring cognitive decline
Article in the latest APA Monitor - "Many of the tests used in research to demonstrate age-related decline in executive functioning--processes thought to control other cognitive operations--may not go far enough in differentiating these control functions from other processes, say psychologist Timothy Salthouse, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Virginia, in a study published in this month's Journal of Experimental Psychology: General (Vol. 132, No. 4)."  
  

British Warning on Antidepressant Use for Youth
New York Times story - "British drug regulators yesterday recommended against the use of all but one of a new generation of antidepressants in the treatment of depressed children under 18. In a letter sent to doctors and other health professionals, the government regulators said a review of data on the safety and effectiveness of the drugs, known as S.S.R.I.'s, indicated that their benefits did not outweigh their potential risks. Their effectiveness in treating depression in children, they said, has not been sufficiently demonstrated, and some drugs have been linked with suicidal thoughts and self-harm in children and adolescents." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free]. See also the related item posted here yesterday and the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency web site, where you'll find links to a number of related articles, including the message sent to health professionals and a leaflet for patients (Adobe Acrobat format) and the full Overview of regulatory status and CSM advice relating to MDD in children and adolescents.  
  

New Studies Claim Ritalin Used For ADHD Causes Permanent Brain Alterations
Story at SciScoop on three new studies conducted in animals, published in the December issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry which "provide evidence that misuse of the stimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin) may have long-term effects on the brain and behavior. While methylphenidate and other stimulant medications are the recommended treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), based on the more than 150 controlled studies demonstrating their safety and efficacy when used as prescribed, these three studies showed changes in the brains of young (adolescent or pre-adolescent) animals that persisted into adulthood."