Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose main symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
ADHD accounts for up to 50% of pediatric psychiatry consultations, and its prevalence has been estimated at between 2 and 12% of the pediatric population; it has multifactorial causes, and in 70% of cases, it may coexist with other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
The diagnosis is clinical and ideally requires a careful examination, as well as thorough interviews with parents or caregivers and teachers, in addition to an interview with the child or adolescent whenever possible. It is very important to distinguish ADHD from the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are to be expected given the child’s stage of development, developmental level, or IQ.
Every child or adolescent with ADHD should have a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan that includes psychopharmacological interventions. The goal of treatment is to improve the core symptoms of ADHD, optimize functioning, and reduce behavioral difficulties.
With regard to drug therapy, there are currently two types of medications available: psychostimulants and non-psychostimulants. Both work by enhancing the effect of catecholamines (dopamine and norepinephrine) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC); without sufficient catecholamines, the core symptoms of ADHD appear.
For children under 6 years of age, behavioral interventions—both in the classroom and at home—are always the first line of treatment, with medication serving as the second line of treatment.
Like all drug classes, this one also has side effects. Among the most common side effects associated with the drugs mentioned are:
- Loss of appetite, growth deficits, and failure to gain weight.
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
- Insomnia or non-restorative sleep.
- New tics or changes in tics the patient was already experiencing.
- Seizures and psychotic symptoms (uncommon).
Given that every person is genetically unique, the way each person metabolizes drugs and their effectiveness varies from person to person. Often, the medication is prescribed correctly, but the dose is not sufficient to meet the patient's needs.
At Genolife, we have a study called ADNFarma a pharmacogenetics study, which examines how drugs act in each individual based on their genome and their effects on gene expression, making it possible to predict the Efficacy and Toxicity of medications, thereby enabling the administration of the appropriate therapy.
We analyzed more than 24 genes and 106 variants directly involved in drug metabolism, thereby describing their metabolic capabilities by category (ultra-fast, normal, intermediate y poor) that will determine the drug's effectiveness.
At GENOLIFE we are seriously committed to your health and we apply the most advanced technologies for genetic studies.
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