Pandemic intake questionnaire to improve quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of outpatient neurologic and developmental care at the Kennedy Krieger institute during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic uniquely affects patients with neurologic and developmental disabilities at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. These patients are at increased risk of co-morbidities, increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19. Disruptions in their home and school routines, and restrictions accessing crucial healthcare services has had a significant impact.

Reduction in school individualized education program (IEP) services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic created novel challenges for school systems and students, particularly students with disabilities. In the shift to remote/distance learning, this report explores the degree to which children with disabilities did not receive the special education and related services defined in their individualized education program (IEP).

Methods: Patients attending an outpatient tertiary care center for neurodevelopmental disabilities in Maryland were surveyed on the impact of the pandemic on educational services provision.

Truncating variants in the SHANK1 gene are associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to characterize the clinical phenotype of a SHANK1-related disorder and define the functional consequences of SHANK1 truncating variants.

Methods: Exome sequencing (ES) was performed for six individuals who presented with neurodevelopmental disorders. Individuals were ascertained with the use of GeneMatcher and Database of Chromosomal Imbalance and Phenotype in Humans Using Ensembl Resources (DECIPHER).

Effects of maternal stimulant medication on observed parenting in mother-child dyads with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This pilot study of 23 mothers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their offspring with ADHD examined the effects of maternal stimulant medication on observed interactions. Parent-child interactions were observed using a structured protocol before and after mothers underwent a 5-week, double-blind stimulant titration. Despite dramatic effects of medication on adult ADHD symptoms, this small pilot and open label laboratory-based study did not identify maternal stimulant effects on observed parenting or child behavior.

Efficacy of osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate for mothers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): preliminary report of effects on ADHD symptoms and parenting.

Objective: A preliminary study to examine the efficacy of osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and parenting behaviors in mothers with ADHD who had children with ADHD.

Method: Participants included 23 mother-child dyads in which both were diagnosed with DSM-IV ADHD. Mothers underwent a 5-week, double-blind titration (placebo, 36 mg/day, 54 mg/day, 72 mg/day, 90 mg/day) to an optimal dose of OROS methylphenidate, followed by random assignment to 2 weeks of placebo or their maximally effective dose.

Methylphenidate HCl: therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Methylphenidate is a first-line therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder of childhood. The compound is a piperidine and the D-threo-isomer is considered the biologically active form. The compound is available in multiple short- and long-acting preparations, having different delivery systems leading to varying kinetics without clear superiority in efficacy or tolerability at the group level.

Dopamine transporter genotype and methylphenidate dose response in children with ADHD.

Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate (MPH), are the most commonly used, effective treatment for ADHD. MPH acts primarily by inhibiting the dopamine transporter (DAT), a protein responsible for the reuptake of dopamine from the synapse into presynaptic terminals. We sought to evaluate the relationship between DAT1 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) genotypes and dose response to MPH.

A dose-response study of OROS methylphenidate in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Objective: OROS methylphenidate HCL (MPH) is a recently developed long-acting stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study was conducted to examine dosage effects on ADHD symptoms and stimulant side effects and to explore potential moderating effects of ADHD subtype.

Methods: Children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-CT) or predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-PI; n = 47), ages 5 to 16 years, underwent a placebo-controlled, crossover trial using forced titration with weekly switches at 3 dosage levels.