Clozapine treatment of childhood-onset schizophrenia: evaluation of effectiveness, adverse effects, and long-term outcome.

Objective: Clozapine is a unique atypical antipsychotic with superior efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Plasma concentration of clozapine and its major metabolite N-desmethylclozapine (NDMC) as well as the ratio of NDMC to clozapine have been reported to be predictors of clozapine response. Here we evaluate these as well as other measures in an effort to find predictors of response to clozapine in our early-onset treatment-refractory population.

Hormonal correlates of clozapine-induced weight gain in psychotic children: an exploratory study.

Objective: Weight gain is a serious side effect of atypical antipsychotics, especially in childhood. In this study, the authors examined six weight gain-related hormones in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) after 6 weeks of clozapine treatment.

Method: Fasting serum samples for 24 patients with COS and 21 matched healthy controls (HC) were obtained.

Support for association between ADHD and two candidate genes: NET1 and DRD1.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, multifactorial disorder with significant genetic contribution. Multiple candidate genes have been studied in ADHD, including the norepinephrine transporter (NET1) and dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1). NET1 is implicated in ADHD because of the efficacy of atomoxetine, a selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of ADHD.

Molecular genetic studies of ADHD: 1991 to 2004.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)is highly heritable but is likely a complex disorder involving multiple genes of moderate effect (Smalley [1997: Am J Hum Genet 60:1276-12821]). Over 100 studies have examined the genetics of ADHD by linkage or association, though no article has presented a comprehensive overview of all published reports. We reviewed all ADHD studies, including 3 genome-wide linkage studies, and association studies of 94 polymorphisms in 33 candidate genes.