A new study shows Ritalin used for ADHD "May affect developing brain'

A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."


" Pediatric Ritalin Use May Affect Developing Brain &/19/07
" Use of the attention deficit/
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Ritalin by young children may cause
long-term changes in the developing brain, suggests a new study of
very young rats by a research team at Weill Cornell Medical College in
New York City.

The study is among the first to probe the effects of Ritalin
(methylphenidate) on the neurochemistry of the developing brain.
Between 2 to18 percent of American children are thought to be affected
by ADHD, and Ritalin, a stimulant similar to amphetamine and cocaine,
remains one of the most prescribed drugs for the behavioral disorder.

"The changes we saw in the brains of treated rats occurred in areas
strongly linked to higher executive functioning, addiction and
appetite, social relationships and stress. These alterations gradually
disappeared over time once the rats no longer received the drug,"
notes the study's senior author Dr. Teresa Milner, professor of
neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College.

The findings, specially highlighted in the Journal of Neuroscience,
suggest that doctors must be very careful in their diagnosis of ADHD
before prescribing Ritalin. That's because the brain changes noted in
the study might be helpful in battling the disorder but harmful if
given to youngsters with healthy brain chemistry, Dr. Milner says.

In the study, week-old male rat pups were given injections of Ritalin
twice a day during their more physically active nighttime phase. The
rats continued receiving the injections up until they were 35 days
old.

"Relative to human lifespan, this would correspond to very early
stages of brain development," explains Jason Gray, a graduate student
in the Program of Neuroscience and lead author of the study. "That's
earlier than the age at which most children now receive Ritalin,
although there are clinical studies underway that are testing the drug
in 2- and 3-year olds."

The relative doses used were at the very high end of what a human
child might be prescribed, Dr. Milner notes. Also, the rats were
injected with the drug, rather than fed Ritalin orally, because this
method allowed the dose to be metabolized in a way that more closely
mimicked its metabolism in humans.

The researchers first looked at behavioral changes in the treated
rats. They discovered that - just as happens in humans - Ritalin use
was linked to a decline in weight. "That correlates with the weight
loss sometimes seen in patients," Dr. Milner notes.

And in the "elevated-plus maze" and "open field" tests, rats examined
in adulthood three months after discontinuing the drug displayed fewer
signs of anxiety compared to untreated rodents. "That was a bit of a
surprise because we thought a stimulant might cause the rats to behave
in a more anxious manner," Dr. Milner says.

The researchers also used high-tech methods to track changes in both
the chemical neuroanatomy and structure of the treated rats' brains at
postnatal day 35, which is roughly equivalent to the adolescent
period.

"These brain tissue findings revealed Ritalin-associated changes in
four main areas," Dr. Milner says. "First, we noticed alterations in
brain chemicals such as catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats'
prefrontal cortex - a part of the mammalian brain responsible for
higher executive thinking and decision-making. There were also
significant changes in catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a
center for memory and learning."

Treatment-linked alterations were also noted in the striatum - a brain
region known to be key to motor function - and in the hypothalamus, a
center for appetite, arousal and addictive behaviors.

Dr. Milner stressed that, at this point in their research, it's just
too early to say whether the changes noted in the Ritalin-exposed
brain would be of either benefit or harm to humans.

"One thing to remember is that these young animals had normal, healthy
brains," she says. "In ADHD-affected brains - where the neurochemistry
is already somewhat awry or the brain might be developing too fast -
these changes might help 'reset' that balance in a healthy way. On the
other hand, in brains without ADHD, Ritalin might have a more negative
effect. We just don't know yet."

One thing was clear: 3 months after the rats stopped receiving
Ritalin, the animals' neurochemistry largely had resolved back to the
pre-treatment state.

"That's encouraging, and supports the notion that this drug therapy
may be best used over a relatively short period of time, to be
replaced or supplemented with behavioral therapy," Dr. Milner says.
"We're concerned about longer-term use. It's unclear from this study
whether Ritalin might leave more lasting changes, especially if
treatment were to continue for years. In that case, it is possible
that chronic use of the drug would alter brain chemistry and behavior
well into adulthood."

This work was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Co-researchers included Dr. Annelyn Torres-Reveron, Victoria Fanslow,
Dr. Carrie Drake, Dr. Mary Ward, Michael Punsoni, Jay Melton, Bojana
Zupan, David Menzer and Jackson Rice - all of Weill Cornell Medical
College; Dr. Russell Romeo of The Rockefeller University, New York
City; and Dr. Wayne Brake, of Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

http://news.med.cornell.edu
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/pedia...ain-13739.html

Why would any parent use this if there are safer alternatives

On Jul 22, 10:04 am, bigvince wrote:
A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."


Sounds like these are positive changes, Vince. Wouldn't that be a
total shame if these children were experiencing permanent improvements
as a result of taking Ritalin?

On Jul 22, 10:28 am, The One True Zhen Jue
wrote:
On Jul 22, 10:04 am, bigvince wrote:

A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."

Sounds like these are positive changes, Vince. Wouldn't that be a
total shame if these children were experiencing permanent improvements
as a result of taking Ritalin?

Many children DO receive positive experiences with Ritalin (although
they shouldn't be called "permanent improvements.") Ritalin has helped
many families because of its positive effect on certain children.

I think the scary thing, and the reason for all the alarm about
Ritalin, is that it is over-prescribed. It is the huge numbers of
children who are given this drug WHO SHOULDN"T HAVE BEEN where the
trouble lies.

Dave

The One True Zhen Jue wrote:
On Jul 22, 10:04 am, bigvince wrote:
A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."


Sounds like these are positive changes, Vince. Wouldn't that be a
total shame if these children were experiencing permanent improvements
as a result of taking Ritalin?



It is interesting that you say this. There was a substantial follow-up
of the children involved in the multi-modal study of years ago.

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul2007/nimh-20.htm

The benefits of medication persist.

How about that?

D. wrote:
On Jul 22, 10:28 am, The One True Zhen Jue
wrote:
On Jul 22, 10:04 am, bigvince wrote:

A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."
Sounds like these are positive changes, Vince. Wouldn't that be a
total shame if these children were experiencing permanent improvements
as a result of taking Ritalin?

Many children DO receive positive experiences with Ritalin (although
they shouldn't be called "permanent improvements.")

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul2007/nimh-20.htm

Ritalin has helped
many families because of its positive effect on certain children.

I think the scary thing, and the reason for all the alarm about
Ritalin, is that it is over-prescribed.

Often claimed, never proven.

It is the huge numbers of
children who are given this drug WHO SHOULDN"T HAVE BEEN where the
trouble lies.

Often claimed, never proven.

On Jul 22, 2:02 pm, "D." wrote:
many families because of its positive effect on certain children.

I think the scary thing, and the reason for all the alarm about
Ritalin, is that it is over-prescribed. It is the huge numbers of
children who are given this drug WHO SHOULDN"T HAVE BEEN where the
trouble lies.

Dave

When the drug maker designs the tests to determine if a child even has
ADHD a diagonosis purely subjective. You can rest assured that as many
children as possibly will be included . You our correct many children
are given these dangerous drugs 'who shouldn't have been" and this
study says that pratice may cause permanent damage. In light of the
recent studies on the safety and effectiveness of fish oil as an
alternative to these "speed like drugs' any concerned parent would be
wise to reseach this subject. Keep posting your excellant post Good
info based on science not sales Thanks Vince

bigvince wrote:
On Jul 22, 2:02 pm, "D." wrote:
many families because of its positive effect on certain children.

I think the scary thing, and the reason for all the alarm about
Ritalin, is that it is over-prescribed. It is the huge numbers of
children who are given this drug WHO SHOULDN"T HAVE BEEN where the
trouble lies.

Dave

When the drug maker designs the tests to determine if a child even has
ADHD a diagonosis purely subjective.

So is the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Just because a diagnosis is purely
subjective doesn't mean the condition doesn't exist.

You can rest assured that as many
children as possibly will be included . You our correct many children
are given these dangerous drugs 'who shouldn't have been" and this
study says that pratice may cause permanent damage.

Key word, "may". And if I ever get pet rats, I will be sure to be more
careful when giving them Ritalin.

In light of the
recent studies on the safety and effectiveness of fish oil as an
alternative to these "speed like drugs' any concerned parent would be
wise to reseach this subject. Keep posting your excellant post Good
info based on science not sales Thanks Vince

It should be noted that conjecture-based medicine (aka, alternative
medicine) is not free of financial influences, either.

Jeff

On Jul 22, 12:28 pm, The One True Zhen Jue
wrote:
On Jul 22, 10:04 am, bigvince wrote:

A new study states that ""These brain tissue findings revealed
Ritalin-associated changes in four main areas," Dr. Milner says.
"First, we noticed alterations in brain chemicals such as
catecholamines and norepinephrine in the rats' prefrontal cortex - a
part of the mammalian brain responsible for higher executive thinking
and decision-making. There were also significant changes in
catecholamine function in the hippocampus, a center for memory and
learning."

Sounds like these are positive changes, Vince. Wouldn't that be a
total shame if these children were experiencing permanent improvements
as a result of taking Ritalin?

"Sounds like these are positive changes"? Is that a definite enough
assessment of benefit vs risk for you to put your children on these
meds?

These kids do not develop ADHD, etc. because they lack these meds in
their systems. They develop them from poor diet. Nutrient deficiency
from the time of conception thru their infancy to their present age.

http://www.1stholistic.com/Nutrition...f-symptoms.htm

Anxiety, depression, irritability, emotional, mental impairment,
instability, nervousness, are all symptoms of many individual vitamin
deficiencies and will manifest in cases of general malnourishment.

But our medical doctors weren't taught this in Med School. They were
taught to prescribes meds. In fact, they may only get a basic three
month Intro to Nutrition, if they are lucky.

Good health is impossible without good nutrition.

On Jul 23, 9:20 am, TC wrote:

These kids do not develop ADHD, etc. because they lack these meds in
their systems. They develop them from poor diet. Nutrient deficiency
from the time of conception thru their infancy to their present age.

http://www.1stholistic.com/Nutrition...f-symptoms.htm

Anxiety, depression, irritability, emotional, mental impairment,
instability, nervousness, are all symptoms of many individual vitamin
deficiencies and will manifest in cases of general malnourishment.

But our medical doctors weren't taught this in Med School. They were
taught to prescribes meds. In fact, they may only get a basic three
month Intro to Nutrition, if they are lucky.

Good health is impossible without good nutrition.

That's one of the best, well-rounded and TRUE posts I've read on the
usenet in a long time, good job TC.

My Mom just went to the doctor for a bad cold. She was given
ANTIBIOTICS. Can you believe that? Doctors simply want to write
prescriptions.

Dave

On Jul 23, 11:40 am, Jeff wrote:
bigvince wrote:
On Jul 22, 2:02 pm, "D." wrote:
many families because of its positive effect on certain children.

I think the scary thing, and the reason for all the alarm about
Ritalin, is that it is over-prescribed. It is the huge numbers of
children who are given this drug WHO SHOULDN"T HAVE BEEN where the
trouble lies.

Dave

When the drug maker designs the tests to determine if a child even has
ADHD a diagonosis purely subjective.

So is the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Just because a diagnosis is purely
subjective doesn't mean the condition doesn't exist.

Jeff, its funny how these guys talk out of both sides of their
mouths. With ADHD, they complain that there isn't an organic marker.
But, when its one of their beloved diseases like MCS, they don't need
no stinkin' markers! Oddly enough, they claim that while blaming it
on chemical exposure!


You can rest assured that as many

children as possibly will be included . You our correct many children
are given these dangerous drugs 'who shouldn't have been" and this
study says that pratice may cause permanent damage.

Key word, "may". And if I ever get pet rats, I will be sure to be more
careful when giving them Ritalin.

In light of the
recent studies on the safety and effectiveness of fish oil as an
alternative to these "speed like drugs' any concerned parent would be
wise to reseach this subject. Keep posting your excellant post Good
info based on science not sales Thanks Vince

It should be noted that conjecture-based medicine (aka, alternative
medicine) is not free of financial influences, either.

Indeed! Even Peter Bowditch had his price ($98 US) now he is owned by
(Evil Organized) TCM Acupuncture.
Oh, then there is Orrin Hatch's son and all his lobbying......


Jeff