ASSESSMENT ON CLINICAL TREND OF ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY

DISORDER
V. Maneesha*, Syeda Nishat Fathima
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Jayamukhi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, T.S, India

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder of the

neurodevelopmental type marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-
impulsivity that hampers with functioning or development. The cause of most cases of ADHD is
believed to involve interactions between genetic (change in genes affecting dopamine
neurotransmission and neurotransmitters) and environmental factors (intake of alcohol during
pregnancy, exposure to lead or polychlorinated biphenyls, Extreme premature birth, very low
birth weight, and extreme neglect, abuse, or social deprivation). Current models of ADHD
suggest that it is associated with functional impairments in some of the brain's neurotransmitter
systems, predominantly those involving dopamine and norepinephrine. The underlying brain
regions mostly thought to be involved are frontal and prefrontal; the parietal lobe and
cerebellum; deformations in the basal ganglia nuclei (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus) may
also be involved. The more prominent the deformations, the greater will be the severity of
symptoms. ADHD is diagnosed by an assessment of a person's childhood behavioral and mental
development, including ruling out the effects of drugs, medications and other medical or
psychiatric problems as explanations for the symptoms. The therapeutic approach to ADHD has
been ever-changing. In some cases, environmental restructuring and behavioral therapy alone has
been effective. Developments in behavioral parent training and behavioral classroom
management have also proven beneficial. Additionally, behavioral psychotherapy often is
successful when used in conjunction with an effective medication regimen. The medications of
choice are stimulants (methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine), Atomoxetine, Tricyclic
antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline) and Centrally acting
antihypertensives(clonidine and guanfacine) have been used to treat children with ADHD.