Efficacy and safety of a GABAergic drug (Gamalate® B6): effects on behavior and cognition in young adults with borderline-to-mild intellectual developmental disabilities and ADHD.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated Gamalate® B6 (GB6) in patients with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) or mild intellectual development disability (IDD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective phase IV observational pilot study in 30 patients who underwent neuropsychological evaluation during treatment with GB6 for 12 weeks. RESULTS: In comparison with baseline, the responses were positive, with a significant improvement in hyperactivity (51.7%), irritability (35.5%), and logorrhea (50%), and no sedative effect. The Clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) score was much improved or very much improved in 73% of cases. Reaction time was better with fewer errors, thus indicating an improvement in attentional processes. A statistically significant result was obtained for the number of movements used to solve the problem and for the total number of correctly solved problems. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, GB6 was effective and well tolerated in cases of ADHD and challenging behavior in young adults with borderline-to-mild BIF/IDD. However, given the small number of patients involved and the uncontrolled nature of the study, these results should be viewed cautiously.

Test Barcelona para discapacidad intelectual: un nuevo instrumento para la valoración neuropsicológica clínica de adultos con discapacidad intelectual / Barcelona Test for Intellectual Disability: a new instrument for the neuropsychological assessment of adults with intellectual disability

Introducción. La evaluación neuropsicológica en las personas con discapacidad intelectual es importante para determinar los déficits cognitivos específicos que subyacen a la afectación cerebral, limitan el funcionamiento intelectual y afectan al comportamiento adaptativo. A pesar de ello, no existen baterías neuropsicológicas en castellano adaptadas y validadas para esta población. Objetivo. Adaptar el programa integrado de exploración neuropsicológica-test Barcelona y validar la nueva versión, el test Barcelona para discapacidad intelectual (TB-DI), estableciendo datos normativos para el empleo clínico. Sujetos y métodos. A partir de los datos obtenidos en una muestra piloto de 65 personas con discapacidad intelectual, se realizaron cambios en el test original. Para estudiar las propiedades psicométricas del TB-DI, se administró a una muestra de 170 personas con discapacidad intelectual y a un grupo de 60 personas sin ella. Mediante modelos de regresión, se determinó qué variables eran importantes para la estratificación de los datos normativos. Resultados. El TB-DI, compuesto de 67 subtests agrupados en ocho dominios cognitivos, muestra unas buenas propiedades psicométricas. Se crean datos normativos para cinco grupos en función del nivel de discapacidad intelectual, la edad y la competencia curricular. Estos datos se organizan en percentiles, lo que permite trazar perfiles cognitivos en el ámbito clínico y experimental. Conclusión. El TB-DI es un instrumento de alta aplicabilidad para la población con discapacidad intelectual, y muestra una validez y una fiabilidad adecuadas, y con buenas propiedades psicométricas. Los perfiles cognitivos determinados mediante el TB-DI proporcionarán información valiosa para el tratamiento integral de las personas adultas con discapacidad intelectual leve y moderada (AU)

Introduction: Neuropsychological assessment in individuals with intellectual disability is of utmost importance in order to determine the cognitive deficits underlying brain dysfunction and limiting intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. However, no neuropsychological batteries in Spanish language have been created and validated for this population. Aim: To adapt the ‘programa integrado de exploración neuropsicológica-test Barcelona’ and to validate the new version, the Barcelona Test for Intellectual Disability (TB-DI). To create normative data for its clinical use. Subjects and Methods: The original test was modified based on data from a pilot sample of 65 individuals with intellectual disability. In order to study the psychometric properties of the TB-DI, it was administered to a sample of 170 individuals with intellectual disability and to a group of 60 individuals without it. The relevant variables for stratification of normative data were determined by means of regression models. Results: The TB-DI was finally composed by 67 subtests grouped in eight cognitive domains and it showed good psychometric properties. Normative data were created for five groups taking into account intellectual disability level, age and acquired curricular competence. These data were organized in percentiles in a way that allows the creation of cognitive profiles in the clinical and experimental fields. CONCLUSION. The TB-DI constitutes a tool of high applicability in the population with intellectual disability. It shows adequate validity and reliability, and it has good psychometric properties. The cognitive profiles obtained by the TB-DI will provide valuable information for the treatment of adult adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability (AU)