Assessing the role of protected areas in the land-use change dynamics of a biodiversity hotspot.

Although protected areas (PAs) are designed to safeguard natural ecosystems from anthropic modifications, many PAs worldwide are subjected to numerous human-induced impacts. We evaluated whether the establishment of PAs in the Upper Paraná River floodplain region could reduce anthropic landscape changes and whether there is a difference in protection when using different PA restriction categories. We analyzed the overall landscape dynamics using 30 years of land-use time series data and evaluated the change intensity via a partial land-use intensity analysis. Despite the increasing landscape anthropization, the PAs seemed to relieve the general change process, protecting natural areas mainly from agricultural expansion. Concerning the degree of use restriction, more restricted protection led to less human-induced changes. Finally, accessing PA effectiveness is a multidisciplinary challenge for researchers; however, this knowledge is crucial to avoid misunderstandings or poorly crafted public policies or decisions that may harm the environment.

Stress-related genetic components in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Effects of the SERPINA6 and SERPINA1 genetic markers in a family-based brazilian sample.

SERPINA6 and SERPINA1 were recently identified as the main genes associated with plasma cortisol concentration in humans. Although dysregulation in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis has been observed in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. Evaluation of the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 gene cluster in ADHD may provide relevant information to uncover them. We tested the association between the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 locus, including 95 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and ADHD, using data from a Brazilian clinical sample of 259 ADHD probands and their parents. The single SNP association was tested using binary logistic regression, and we performed Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to evaluate genotype combinations' effects on ADHD susceptibility. We assessed SNPs' regulatory effects through the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) v8 tool, and performed a complementary look-up analysis in the largest ADHD GWAS to date. There was a suggestive association between ADHD and eight variants located in the SERPINA6 region and one in the intergenic region between SERPINA6 and SERPINA1 after correction for multiple tests (p < 0.032). CART analysis showed that the combined effects of genotype GG in rs2144833 and CC in rs10129500 were associated with ADHD (OR = 1.78; CI95% = 1.24-2.55). The GTEx assigned the SNPs as eQTLs for genes in different tissues, including SERPINA6, and the look-up analysis revealed two SNPs associated with ADHD. These results suggest a shared genetic component between cortisol levels and ADHD. HPA dysregulation/altered stress response in ADHD might be mediated by upregulation of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG, encoded by SERPINA6) expression.

Computerized Cognitive Training for ADHD as an Add-On Treatment to Stimulants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Computerized cognitive training (CCT) as add-on treatment to stimulants for ADHD core symptoms is scarcely investigated. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of CCT in a randomized controlled clinical trial for ADHD in children and adolescents treated with stimulants. Method: Fifty-three participants aged 6 to 13 years receiving stimulant treatment and presenting ADHD residual symptoms were randomized either to a CCT (n = 29) or to a controlled nonactive condition (n = 24) for four sessions/week during 12 weeks. The main outcome measure was inattentive symptoms assessed using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV (SNAP-IV) Scale. Secondary outcomes include, among others, hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and cognitive tests. Results: There were neither significant group differences on ADHD-inattentive symptoms after the intervention nor on both ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms and cognitive measures. Conclusion: Our study does not provide evidence for the benefits of cognitive training over nonactive training on core ADHD symptoms in medicated ADHD children and adolescents.

Effects of computerized cognitive training as add-on treatment to stimulants in ADHD: a pilot fMRI study.

The neurofunctional effects of Cognitive training (CT) are poorly understood. Our main objective was to assess fMRI brain activation patterns in children with ADHD who received CT as an add-on treatment to stimulant medication. We included twenty children with ADHD from a clinical trial of stimulant medication and CT (10 in medication + CT and 10 in medication + non-active training). Between-group differences were assessed in performance and in brain activation during 3 fMRI paradigms of working memory (N-back: 0-back, 1-back, 2-back, 3-back), sustained attention (Sustained Attention Task - SAT: 2 s, 5 s and 8 s delays) and inhibitory control (Go/No-Go). We found significant group x time x condition interactions in working memory (WM) and sustained attention on brain activation. In N-back, decreases were observed in the BOLD signal change from baseline to endpoint with increasing WM load in the right insula, right putamen, left thalamus and left pallidum in the CT compared to the non-active group; in SAT - increases in the BOLD signal change from baseline to endpoint with increasing delays were observed in bilateral precuneus, right insula, bilateral associative visual cortex and angular gyrus, right middle temporal, precentral, postcentral, superior frontal and middle frontal gyri in the CT compared to the non-active group. CT in ADHD was associated with changes in activation in task-relevant parietal and striato-limbic regions of sustained attention and working memory. Changes in brain activity may precede behavioral performance modifications in working memory and sustained attention, but not in inhibitory control.

CLOCK Polymorphisms in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Further Evidence Linking Sleep and Circadian Disturbances and ADHD.

Circadian and sleep disorders, short sleep duration, and evening chronotype are often present in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). CLOCK, considered the master gene in the circadian rhythm, has been explored by few studies. Understanding the relationship between ADHD and CLOCK may provide additional information to understand the correlation between ADHD and sleep problems. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between ADHD and CLOCK, using several genetic markers to comprehensively cover the gene extension. A total of 259 ADHD children and their parents from a Brazilian clinical sample were genotyped for eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CLOCK locus. We tested the individual markers and the haplotype effects using binary logistic regression. Binary logistic and linear regressions considering ADHD symptoms among ADHD cases were conducted as secondary analysis. As main result, the analysis showed a risk effect of the G-A-T-G-G-C-G-A (rs534654, rs1801260, rs6855837, rs34897046, rs11931061, rs3817444, rs4864548, rs726967) haplotype on ADHD. A suggestive association between ADHD and rs534654 was observed. The results suggest that the genetic susceptibility to circadian rhythm attributed to the CLOCK gene may play an important role on ADHD.

Computerized cognitive training in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as add-on treatment to stimulants: feasibility study and protocol description.

Background: Cognitive training has received increasing attention as a non-pharmacological approach for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed cognitive training as add-on treatment to medication in randomized placebo controlled trials. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the feasibility of implementing a computerized cognitive training program for ADHD in our environment, describe its main characteristics and potential efficacy in a small pilot study. Methods: Six ADHD patients aged 10-12-years old receiving stimulants and presenting residual symptoms were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial to either a standard cognitive training program or a controlled placebo condition for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was core ADHD symptoms measured using the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV scale). Results: We faced higher resistance than expected to patient enrollment due to logistic issues to attend face-to-face sessions in the hospital and to fill the requirement of medication status and absence of some comorbidities. Both groups showed decrease in parent reported ADHD symptoms without statistical difference between them. In addition, improvements on neuropsychological tests were observed in both groups - mainly on trained tasks. Conclusions: This protocol revealed the need for new strategies to better assess the effectiveness of cognitive training such as the need to implement the intervention in a school environment to have an assessment with more external validity. Given the small sample size of this pilot study, definitive conclusions on the effects of cognitive training as add-on treatment to stimulants would be premature.

Computerized cognitive training in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as add-on treatment to stimulants: feasibility study and protocol description / Treinamento cognitivo para crianças e adolescentes com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade como tratamento complementar aos psicoestimulantes: estudo de viabilidade e descrição de protocolo

Abstract Background Cognitive training has received increasing attention as a non-pharmacological approach for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed cognitive training as add-on treatment to medication in randomized placebo controlled trials. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the feasibility of implementing a computerized cognitive training program for ADHD in our environment, describe its main characteristics and potential efficacy in a small pilot study. Methods Six ADHD patients aged 10-12-years old receiving stimulants and presenting residual symptoms were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial to either a standard cognitive training program or a controlled placebo condition for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was core ADHD symptoms measured using the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV scale). Results We faced higher resistance than expected to patient enrollment due to logistic issues to attend face-to-face sessions in the hospital and to fill the requirement of medication status and absence of some comorbidities. Both groups showed decrease in parent reported ADHD symptoms without statistical difference between them. In addition, improvements on neuropsychological tests were observed in both groups - mainly on trained tasks. Conclusions This protocol revealed the need for new strategies to better assess the effectiveness of cognitive training such as the need to implement the intervention in a school environment to have an assessment with more external validity. Given the small sample size of this pilot study, definitive conclusions on the effects of cognitive training as add-on treatment to stimulants would be premature.

Resumo Introdução O treinamento cognitivo tem recebido atenção especial como abordagem não medicamentosa para o tratamento do transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH) em crianças e adolescentes. Poucos estudos avaliaram o treinamento cognitivo como abordagem complementar à medicação em ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados por placebo. O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar a viabilidade para a implementação de um programa de treinamento cognitivo computadorizado, descrever suas características principais e potencial eficácia em um pequeno estudo piloto. Métodos Seis pacientes com TDAH entre 10-12 anos de idade, em uso de psicoestimulantes e apresentando sintomas residuais, foram recrutados e randomizados para um dos dois grupos (treinamento cognitivo ou placebo) por 12 semanas. O desfecho principal foram os sintomas nucleares do TDAH avaliados através do Questionário de Swanson, Nolan e Pelham (SNAP-IV). Resultados Encontramos maior resistência do que a esperada no recrutamento dos pacientes em função de problemas logísticos para atender às sessões presenciais no hospital assim como para preencherem os critérios de status medicamentoso e ausência de algumas comorbidades. Ambos os grupos apresentaram diminuição nos escores dos sintomas de TDAH reportados pelos pais, mas sem diferença estatística entre eles. Além disso, foi observada melhora nos testes neuropsicológicos em ambos os grupos - principalmente nas tarefas treinadas pelo programa. Conclusão Este protocolo revelou a necessidade de novas estratégias para melhor avaliar a eficácia do treinamento cognitivo tal como a necessidade de implementar a intervenção no ambiente escolar a fim de obter uma avaliação com maior validade externa. Devido ao pequeno tamanho amostral deste estudo, conclusões definitivas sobre os efeitos do treinamento cognitivo como abordagem complementar aos psicoestimulantes seriam prematuras.

GAD1 gene polymorphisms are associated with hyperactivity in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Recent studies suggest a role for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on ADHD hyperactive/impulsive symptoms due to behavioral disinhibition resulting from inappropriate modulation of both glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling. The glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD1) gene encodes a key enzyme of GABA biosynthesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible influence of GAD1 SNPs rs3749034 and rs11542313 on ADHD susceptibility. The clinical sample consisted of 547 families with ADHD probands recruited at the ADHD Outpatient Clinics from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms were evaluated based on parent reports from the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Scale-version IV (SNAP-IV). The C allele of rs11542313 was significantly overtransmitted from parents to ADHD probands (P = 0.02). Hyperactive/impulsive score was higher in rs3749034G allele (P = 0.005, Cohen's D = 0.19) and rs11542313C allele (P = 0.03; Cohen's D = 0.16) carriers. GAD1 haplotypes were also associated with higher hyperactive/impulsive scores in ADHD youths (global P-value = 0.01). In the specific haplotype test, the GC haplotype was the one with the highest hyperactive/impulsive scores (P = 0.03). Our results suggest that the GAD1 gene is associated with ADHD susceptibility, contributing particularly to the hyperactive/impulsive symptom domain. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cadherin-13 gene is associated with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Several efforts have been made to find new genetic risk variants which explain the high heritability of ADHD. At the genome level, genes involved in neurodevelopmental pathways were pointed as candidates. CDH13 and CTNNA2 genes are within GWAS top hits in ADHD and there are emerging notions about their contribution to ADHD pathophysiology. The main goal of this study is to test the association between SNPs in CDH13 and CTNNA2 genes and ADHD across the life cycle in subjects with ADHD. This study included 1,136 unrelated ADHD cases and 946 individuals without ADHD. No significant association between CDH13 and CTNNA2 was observed between cases and controls across different samples (P ≥ 0.096 for all comparisons). No allele was significantly more transmitted than expected from parents to ADHD probands. The CDH13 rs11150556 CC genotype was associated with more hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in youths with ADHD (children/adolescents clinical sample: F = 7.666, P = 0.006, FDR P-value = 0.032; Pelotas Birth Cohort sample: F = 6.711, P = 0.011, FDR P-value = 0.032). Although there are many open questions regarding the role of neurodevelopmental genes in ADHD symptoms, the present study suggests that CDH13 is associated with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in youths with ADHD.

Is there an association between perinatal complications and ttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattentive type in children and adolescents? / Existe alguma associação entre complicações perinatais e transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade - subtipo desatento em crianças e adolescentes?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to investigate the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I) and prenatal, delivery and early postnatal complications (PDPC). METHOD: In a case-control design, we assessed a sample of 124 children and adolescents with ADHD-I and 124 non-ADHD controls (6-17 years old) from both a non-referred (n = 200) and a clinical sample (n = 48). Cases and controls, matched by gender and age, were systematically evaluated through structured diagnostic interviews. Prenatal, delivery and early postnatal complications (PDPC), as well as potential confounders were evaluated by direct interview with biological mothers. RESULTS: Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that children and adolescents whose mothers presented more PDPC had a significantly higher risk for ADHD-I (p = 0.005; OR = 1.25; CI 95%: 1.1-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: In a case-control study, we expanded to ADHD-I previous findings suggesting the association between perinatal factors and broadly defined ADHD. Due to the preventable nature of some of these PDPC, our results have clear impact in public mental health policies.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo é investigar a associação entre complicações perinatais (complicações ocorridas nos períodos pré, peri e pós-natal imediato -CPPs) e transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH) do subtipo desatento (TDAH-D). MÉTODO: Em um estudo de casos e controles, foram avaliadas 124 crianças e adolescentes (6-17 anos) com TDAH-D e 124 controles sem a doença, provenientes tanto de uma amostra populacional (n = 200), quanto de uma amostra clínica (n = 48). Casos e controles, pareados por gênero e idade, foram sistematicamente avaliados através de entrevistas diagnósticas estruturadas. Informações sobre as complicações ocorridas durante os períodos pré, peri e pós-natal imediato (CPPs), assim como sobre potencias confundidores, foram obtidas através de entrevistas realizadas diretamente com as mães biológicas. RESULTADOS:A análise de regressão logística condicional mostrou que para as crianças e adolescentes cujas mães apresentaram maior número de CPPs, o risco de TDAH-D foi significativamente mais elevado (p = 0.005; OR = 1.25; IC 95%: 1.1-1.5). CONCLUSÕES: Em um estudo de caso-controle, foi possível expandir, para o TDAH predominantemente desatento, os achados prévios que sugeriam a associação entre complicações perinatais e TDAH sem um subtipo específico. Em virtude da possibilidade de prevenção de algumas dessas complicações, nossos resultados podem exercer impacto sobre políticas públicas de saúde.

Cathechol-O-methyltransferase Val(158)Met polymorphism is associated with disruptive behavior disorders among children and adolescents with ADHD.

COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism has been associated with both symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD): that is, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) often comorbid with ADHD. The aim of this study was to test the association between COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism and the presence of DBD in children with ADHD (n = 516). Homozygous Val/Val children showed a higher prevalence of ADHD comorbid with DBD (χ(2) = 5.762; p = 0.016; OR = 1.58; CI(95%) = 1.07-2.35). Our findings replicate previous results and suggest a role for COMT in the etiology of DBD in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Is there an association between perinatal complications and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattentive type in children and adolescents?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to investigate the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I) and prenatal, delivery and early postnatal complications (PDPC). METHOD: In a case-control design, we assessed a sample of 124 children and adolescents with ADHD-I and 124 non-ADHD controls (6-17 years old) from both a non-referred (n = 200) and a clinical sample (n = 48). Cases and controls, matched by gender and age, were systematically evaluated through structured diagnostic interviews. Prenatal, delivery and early postnatal complications (PDPC), as well as potential confounders were evaluated by direct interview with biological mothers. RESULTS: Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that children and adolescents whose mothers presented more PDPC had a significantly higher risk for ADHD-I (p = 0.005; OR = 1.25; CI 95%: 1.1-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: In a case-control study, we expanded to ADHD-I previous findings suggesting the association between perinatal factors and broadly defined ADHD. Due to the preventable nature of some of these PDPC, our results have clear impact in public mental health policies.

Are family variables associated with ADHD, inattentive type? A case-control study in schools.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seems to be associated with significant psychosocial adversity. However, few studies assessed the role of environmental, social and interpersonal factors specifically in ADHD, inattentive type (ADHD-I). Thus, this study aims to investigate whether family environment risk factors are associated with ADHD-I. In a case-control study, we assessed a non-referred sample of 100 children and adolescents with ADHD-I and 100 non-ADHD controls (6-18 years old). They were systematically evaluated through structured diagnostic interviews. The following family adversity measures were used: Rutter's family adversity index (marital discord, low social class, large family size, paternal criminality, maternal mental disorder), Family Environment Scale (FES) (subscores of cohesion, expressiveness and conflict) and Family Relationship Index (FRI) (based on the subscores above). After adjusting for confounding factors (social phobia and maternal history of ADHD), the odds ratio (OR) for ADHD-I increased as the number of Rutter's indicators increased. Families of children with lower FES cohesion subscores presented higher OR for ADHD-I (OR 1.24; 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.45). Lower levels of FRI, a general index of family relationship, were also related to higher risk of ADHD-I (OR 1.11; 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.21). Our findings suggest that family adversity (in general), low family cohesion and low FRI (in particular) are associated with an increase in the risk for ADHD-I. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits our ability to infer causality.

Do hyperactive symptoms matter in ADHD-I restricted phenotype?

The objective of the current study was to evaluate a proposed restrictive inattentive type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by comparing clinical correlates among youths with ADHD inattentive type (ADHD-I) as a function of the number of hyperactivity symptoms presented (none vs. 3 or less) and controls (individuals without ADHD). The sample for this community-based study was comprised of youths aged 6 to 18 years from 12 public schools in Porto Alegre, Brazil. ADHD-I groups had lower levels of adaptive functioning (p < .001) and a higher occurrence of familial ADHD (p < .001) when compared with the controls. There was no significant difference between the two ADHD-I groups. Also, both ADHD-I groups had higher rates of oppositional defiant disorder than controls (p < .001) without significant difference between them. For generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia, only the ADHD-I without HI group showed significant differences compared to controls.

Food intake and serum levels of iron in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder / Ingestão alimentar e níveis séricos de ferro em crianças e adolescentes com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade

Objective: To investigate hematologic variables related to iron deficiency and food intake in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Method: The sample comprised 62 children and adolescents (6-15 years old) divided into three groups: Group 1: 19 (30.6 percent) patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using methylphenidate for 3 months; Group 2: 22 (35.5 percent) patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who were methylphenidate naïve and Group 3: 21 (33.9 percent) patients without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, nutritional diagnostic parameters - Body Mass Index Coefficient, food surveys were evaluated among the groups. Results: The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group drug naïve for methylphenidate presented the highest red cell distribution width among the three groups (p = 0.03). For all other hematologic and food survey variables, no significant differences were found among the groups. No significant correlation between dimensional measures of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and ferritin levels was found in any of the three groups. Conclusion: Peripheral markers of iron status and food intake of iron do not seem to be modified in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but further studies assessing brain iron levels are needed to fully understand the role of iron in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder pathophysiology.

Objetivo: Investigar as variáveis hematológicas relacionadas à deficiência de ferro e à ingestão alimentar no transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade. Método: Sessenta e duas crianças e adolescentes (6-15 anos) divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1: 19 (30,6 por cento) pacientes com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade com uso de metilfenidato durante três meses; Grupo 2: 22 (35,5 por cento) pacientes com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade sem uso de medicamento; e Grupo 3: 21 (33,9 por cento) pacientes sem transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade. Ferro sérico, ferritina, transferrina, hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio, amplitude de distribuição dos eritrócitos, concentração da hemoglobina corpuscular média, parâmetros de diagnóstico nutricional - Coeficiente de Índice de Massa Corporal, inquérito alimentar e a correlação entre os sintomas do transtorno e os níveis de ferritina foram avaliados. Resultados: O grupo com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade não medicado com metilfenidato apresentou maior amplitude de distribuição dos eritrócitos dentre os três grupos (p = 0,03). Nas outras variáveis hematológicas e inquéritos alimentares não encontramos diferença significativa entre os grupos. Não observamos correlação entre os sintomas do transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade e ferritina. Conclusão: Marcadores periféricos do estado nutricional de ferro e a ingestão alimentar de ferro não parecem estar modificados em crianças com transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade, mas mais estudos avaliando os níveis de ferro no cérebro são necessários para compreensão plena do papel do ferro na fisiopatologia do transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade.

Food intake and serum levels of iron in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate hematologic variables related to iron deficiency and food intake in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. METHOD: The sample comprised 62 children and adolescents (6-15 years old) divided into three groups: Group 1: 19 (30.6%) patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using methylphenidate for 3 months; Group 2: 22 (35.5%) patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who were methylphenidate naive and Group 3: 21 (33.9%) patients without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, nutritional diagnostic parameters - Body Mass Index Coefficient, food surveys were evaluated among the groups. RESULTS: The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group drug naive for methylphenidate presented the highest red cell distribution width among the three groups (p = 0.03). For all other hematologic and food survey variables, no significant differences were found among the groups. No significant correlation between dimensional measures of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and ferritin levels was found in any of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Peripheral markers of iron status and food intake of iron do not seem to be modified in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but further studies assessing brain iron levels are needed to fully understand the role of iron in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder pathophysiology.

Further evidence for the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the serotonin receptor 1B gene.

Several evidences suggested that the serotonin 5-HT1B receptor gene (HRT1B) might be involved in the susceptibility to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Prior studies reported excess transmissions of the HRT1B gene 861G allele to affected ADHD children and of a haplotype block containing this variant and two functional promoter SNPs to probands with ADHD-inattentive subtype. However, some investigations did not replicate these findings. Therefore, we tested for biased transmissions of haplotypes derived from the 861G > C, -161A > T, and -261T > G SNPs from parents to 343 families with ADHD children. We also sought to replicate findings from the literature that the association between HTR1B is preferentially with ADHD-Inattentive subtype. Using a transmission disequilibrium test we found evidence for an excess transmission of haplotype. -261G/-161T/861G (P = 0.014) for affected children in the total sample. When the analysis was repeated with 143 families with ADHD-Inattentive subtype no significant associations were observed. Our results provide additional evidence that HRT1B gene may be an important risk factor for the development of ADHD, but this effect seems not to be attributable to inattentive cases.

Concordância entre relato de pais e professores para sintomas de TDAH: resultados de uma amostra clínica brasileira / Agreement rates between parents' and teachers' reports on ADHD symptomatology: findings from a Brazilian clinical sample

CONTEXTO: O diagnóstico de TDAH em crianças e adolescentes, segundo os critérios do DSM-IV, requer que os sintomas estejam presentes em, ao menos, dois ambientes distintos (principalmente escola e casa). Apesar da importância do relato de pais e professores, esse tema tem sido pouco investigado no Brasil. OBJETIVO: Investigar a concordância entre os relatos de pais e professores de uma amostra clínica de crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de TDAH. MÉTODOS: A amostra era composta por 44 crianças e adolescentes com idades variando entre 6 e 16 anos (40 meninos e 4 meninas), com diagnóstico clínico de TDAH. Foram comparadas as respostas de pais e professores no questionário SNAP-IV, visando a calcular taxas de concordância entre diferentes fontes de informação para sintomas de TDAH. RESULTADOS: Concordância para o diagnóstico de TDAH ocorreu em aproximadamente metade dos casos; pais relataram mais sintomas de TDAH que professores. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados aqui apresentados podem mostrar que informações acerca da sintomatologia de TDAH não são bem divulgadas para professores brasileiros, indicando a necessidade de se investir em sessões educacionais sobre o transtorno, tendo em vista a importância do relato de profissionais de educação para o diagnóstico de TDAH.

BACKGROUND: ADHD diagnosis in children and adolescents according to DSM-IV criteria demands symptoms to be present in at least two different settings (mainly school and home). Despite the importance in obtaining parents' and teachers' reports, this issue is seldom investigated in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: We set to evaluate agreement rates between parents' and teachers' reports from a Brazilian clinical sample of children and adolescents with ADHD. METHODS: The sample comprised 44 children and adolescents with age range between 6 and 16 years old (boys: 40; girls: 4) with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. We compared parents' and teachers' responses in SNAP-IV questionnaire in order to calculate agreement rates among different information sources on ADHD symptomatology. RESULTS: Agreement for ADHD diagnosis occurred in nearly half of the sample, with parents' reporting more ADHD symptomatology than teachers. CONCLUSION: Our findings might suggest that recognition of ADHD symptomatology is less clear-cut among school teachers in Brazil, indicating that some educational sessions about this condition should be conducted in schools, taking into consideration the importance of education professionals' reports to diagnose ADHD.

TDAH: remissão na adolescência e preditores de persistência em adultos / ADHD: Remission in adolescence and predictors of persistence into adulthood

Embora no passado se acreditasse que o TDAH persistia somente até a adolescência, atualmente jß hß um corpo sólido de conhecimento científico evidenciando que o TDAH freqüentemente persiste em adultos que foram diagnosticados como tendo TDAH na infância. São poucos os relatos na literatura sobre o padrão dessa evolução dos sintomas e, principalmente, sobre os fatores que predizem esse desfecho. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar a literatura científica sobre o TDAH, com foco específico em dados sobre remissão dos sintomas na adolescência e preditores de persistência do transtorno até a vida adulta. São apresentados dados de prevalência na adolescência e idade adulta, fatores relacionados à variabilidade de resultados entre os estudos, potenciais fatores de risco de persistência e o único estudo delineado especificamente com o objetivo de avaliar um conjunto abrangente de preditores do transtorno da infância à idade adulta.

Although in the past it was thought that ADHD did not continue beyond adolescence, nowadays there is a consistent body of scientific knowledge showing that ADHD often persists in adults who had been diagnosed as having ADHD in childhood. There are very few studies in the literature on the pattern of the evolution of the symptoms and mainly on the factors that predict this outcome in adulthood. The aim of this paper is to review the scientific literature on ADHD with specific focus on data about symptom remission during adolescence and predictors of the disorder persistence into adulthood. The authors present data on prevalence in adolescence and adulthood, factors associated to results variability among studies, potential risk factors of persistence, and the only study delineated specifically with the objective of assessing a comprehensive set of predictors of the disorder from childhood up to adulthood.