Consumer Reports To Parents: Think Twice About Free Prescription ADHD Drug Samples For Your Children
According to a new Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs report, parents should be skeptical if their doctors offer them free prescription drug samples, especially for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ). Free samples can hook consumers on high-priced brand name drugs that are not any better or safer than less expensive generic medicines. In addition, when doctors give out free samples, they often fail to give patients information inserts that highlight important safety and side effect information. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs found that two generic ADHD drugs, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, are as safe and effective as well- known drugs like Adderall XR, Concerta or Strattera.
Targacept Announces Decision By AstraZeneca To Advance AZD3480 Program In ADHD
Targacept, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics (TM), announced that AstraZeneca has informed Targacept that it plans to conduct further development of AZD3480 (TC-1734) for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and has agreed to make a $10 million milestone payment to Targacept. AstraZeneca also confirmed plans to continue development of AZD1446 (TC-6683) for Alzheimer's disease. AZD1446, which is currently in Phase 1, was discovered in the parties' ongoing research collaboration. For Alzheimer's disease, development of AZD1446 has been prioritized by AstraZeneca over further development of AZD3480.
The Role Of Genetic Factors In Adult ADHD
22nd Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), 12 - 16 September 2009, Istanbul, Turkey Dr. Barbara Franke, who is coordinating the International Multicentre persistent ADHD CollaboraTion (IMpACT) will present the latest findings in the identification of risk genes for ADHD. She will explain how the findings of IMpACT may help to define targets for the development of new and more effective treatments for ADHD, and also contribute to early disease prevention. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood. Worldwide, 3 - 12% of children are affected with the disorder, whose symptoms include age-inappropriate hyperactive and impulsive behaviour and/or a reduced ability to focus attention.
Aiming For Early Diagnosis For ADHD And Parkinson's Disease
Eye movement tests developed by Queen's University researchers to aid in understanding childhood brain development and healthy aging may also help in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and detecting the early onset of Parkinson's disease. The project has received close to $1 million in recent funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). "An important aspect of what makes us human is the ability to control our behaviour, " says Physiology professor Douglas Munoz, who leads the study. "Our project investigates how the brain provides this control by observing eye movements. Our experiments have been designed to combine high speed eye movement recording with modern brain imaging techniques to identify brain regions that control our behaviour.
New Research Shows: Neurofeedback Is An 'Evidence-Based' Treatment For ADHD
Neurofeedback - also called EEG Biofeedback - is a method used to train brain activity in order to normalize Brain function and treat psychiatric disorders. This treatment method has gained interest over the last 10 years, however the question whether this treatment should be regarded as an Evidence-Based treatment was unanswered until now. Tomorrow a study will be published in the scientific journal 'EEG and Clinical Neuroscience' demonstrating that Neurofeedback can indeed be regarded as an evidence-based treatment for Attention Deficit- / Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ). Neurofeedback is a treatment where real-time feedback is provided for specific brain activity (most often EEG) in order to learn the brain to suppress or produce specific brain activity.
Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Have More Severe Behavioral Problems Than Those With ADHD
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ), conduct disorder, or both. Often children with FASD are initially diagnosed with ADHD. A new study is the first to examine a range of cognitive factors and social behavior in children with FASD and ADHD, finding that those with FASD have significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities. Results will be published in the October issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View. "Behaviorally, FASD and ADHD can look quite similar, particularly with respect to problems with very limited attention, physical restlessness, and extreme impulsivity, " explained Rachel Greenbaum, a clinical psychologist with the Children's Mental Health Team at Surrey Place Centre in Toronto, who conducted the study as part of her doctoral dissertation.
New Research Evaluates The Impact Of Working Memory Training And Stimulant Medication On Kids With ADHD
A study to be published in the August 2009 edition of Applied Cognitive Psychology sheds new light on how Cogmed Working Memory Training and stimulant medication address working memory impairments in children with ADHD. Working memory, acknowledged as one of the core deficits in ADHD, represents the brain's ability to hold and process critical information related to the present moment. This study represents the latest findings from a team of independent UK researchers whose ongoing work examines the impact of Cogmed's software-based training program on individuals with disorders of memory and attention. Conducted at the University of York, the research was led by Joni Holmes, Ph.
Vyvanse CII Significantly Improved ADHD Symptoms For Children 13 Hours After Administration
Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, has announced that a study published online in the peer-reviewed journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health found once-daily Vyvanse ® (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) CII significantly reduced the symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) in children aged 6 to 12 from the first time point measured (1.5 hours) up to the last time point assessed (13 hours) after administration. In this pediatric analog classroom study, treatment with Vyvanse was associated with significant improvement in behavior and attention in children at each time point measured, with improvement at 13 hours after administration.
FDA Issues Complete Response Letter For INTUNIV TM guanfacine Extended Release For The Treatment Of ADHD In Children And Adolescents
Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received a Complete Response letter for INTUNIV(TM) (guanfacine) Extended Release from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision comes following labeling discussions with the FDA that did not result in agreement in time to meet the PDUFA date. The FDA did not identify safety concerns regarding INTUNIV in the Complete Response letter or request new clinical studies. Shire and the FDA will continue to work together to resolve the remaining labeling language over the next 4 to 8 weeks. "Shire is confident that we will quickly come to agreement on the final product label and anticipates a launch in the fourth quarter as planned, " said Mike Cola, President of Shire Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
FDA Issues Complete Response Letter For INTUNIV trade; guanfacine Extended Release For The Treatment Of ADHD In Children And Adolescents
Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received a Complete Response letter for INTUNIV TM (guanfacine) Extended Release from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision comes following labeling discussions with the FDA that did not result in agreement in time to meet the PDUFA date. The FDA did not identify safety concerns regarding INTUNIV in the Complete Response letter or request new clinical studies. Shire and the FDA will continue to work together to resolve the remaining labeling language over the next 4 to 8 weeks. "Shire is confident that we will quickly come to agreement on the final product label and anticipates a launch in the fourth quarter as planned, " said Mike Cola, President of Shire Specialty Pharmaceuticals.