[Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood/adolescence and impairments associated with daily life: French data from the European Lifetime Impairment Survey]

Bibliometric analysis of publications on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in France since 1974

BACKGROUND

The predominance of the psychodynamic approach is often put forward to explain the delay in diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) reported in France.

OBJECTIVE

A bibliometric study of abstracts, articles, or letters authored by French researchers may provide objective insight into this issue.

METHODS

Online electronic databases were searched without any date limits for documents related to ADHD, and allocated to the AllFR group when all authors had an affiliation in France or to the notAllFR group when at least one author had an affiliation in France. Publications expressing any psychodynamic point of view on the causes and/or treatment of ADHD were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 747 documents were analyzed: 417 were exclusively indexed in SCOPUS, and 418 were allocated to the AllFR group. Compared with documents in the notAllFR group, documents in the AllFR group were written by a smaller number of authors (median 3 vs. 6, p<0.002), more frequently evoked psychodynamic concepts (10.45% vs. 1.67%, p<0.001), and less frequently acknowledged the persistence of ADHD in adulthood (29.10% vs. 42.14%). The psychodynamic approach was likely to rely on case reports of fewer than three children.

CONCLUSIONS

Any serious review of the literature should pool documents from several online databases, especially SCOPUS. In publications by only French authors, the psychodynamic approach seems predominant and the persistence of ADHD in adulthood is overlooked. This may concur with the excessive delay observed in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults in France compared to other European countries.

Saikosaponin A Alleviates Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder through Downregulation of DAT and Enhancing BDNF Expression in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats

The disturbed dopamine availability and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression are due in part to be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we investigated the therapeutical effect of saikosaponin a (SSa) isolated from Bupleurum Chinese DC, against spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of ADHD. Methylphenidate and SSa were orally administered for 3 weeks. Activity was assessed by open-field test and Morris water maze test. Dopamine (DA) and BDNF were determined in specific brain regions. The mRNA or protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), and vesicles monoamine transporter (VMAT) was also studied. Both MPH and SSa reduced hyperactivity and improved the spatial learning memory deficit in SHRs. An increased DA concentration in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum was also observed after treating with the SSa. The increased DA concentration may partially be attributed to the decreased mRNA and protein expression of DAT in PFC while SSa exhibited no significant effects on the mRNA expression of TH and VMAT in PFC of SHRs. In addition, BDNF expression in SHRs was also increased after treating with SSa or MPH. The obtained result suggested that SSa may be a potential drug for treating ADHD.

Prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Students and Needs Modification of Mental Health Services in Shahrekord, Iran in 2013

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In view of the complications of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and significance of its treatment, the present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of ADHD among elementary school students of Shahrekord and to assess the obstacles preventing patients from accessing mental health services.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 631 eligible students were selected from elementary school students in Shahrekord County, Iran. Multi-stage stratified random sampling was adopted. Demographic data were gathered and Child Symptom Inventory-4 for parents and teachers was filled out for each student. The students with suspected ADHD were identified, and examined for the association among mental health help-seeking steps. Obstacles to mental health help-seeking were assessed.

RESULTS

ADHD prevalence was derived 17.3% and higher among male students (p=0.025). ADHD prevalence was associated with parents' education and occupation. The evaluation and diagnosis rates were significantly associated with gender (p=0.002 and 0.005, respectively). The most prevalent obstacles facing access to mental health services were those relevant to feeling no need (86%), negative expectations of treatment (78%) and mental health system (64%).

CONCLUSION

ADHD was highly prevalent among elementary school students. Identifying the patients and examining the existing obstacles of access to mental health system seems necessary.