Placental Barrier and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Roles of Prolactin and Dopamine in the Developing Fetal Brain-Part II.

The inverse relationship between prolactin and dopamine is important in the context of treatment with antipsychotic medications in men and nonpregnant women with thought disorders. Likewise, increased levels of prolactin as confirmation of recent seizure and the reciprocal levels of prolactin and dopamine in both eclampsia (seizures) and pre-eclampsia might have significant potential effects on a growing fetus. In this article, we attempt to outline the influence of these associations on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children born to mothers with established diagnoses of eclampsia and/or pre-eclampsia.

Placental Barrier and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Prolactin and Dopamine on the Developing Fetal Brain.

Dopamine and prolactin exhibit opposite effects on lactation. However, a possible role for increased prolactin/dopamine ratio in postpartum mood and thought disorders and as a prognostic indicator of the mother's future mental health has not been well investigated. Postpartum depression is a serious condition with potentially devastating outcomes for both the mother and the infant.

Insomnia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in pediatrics: a checklist for parents.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a commonly diagnosed condition in the pediatric as well as adult psychiatric population. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has undoubtedly been over diagnosed and treated with both stimulants and non-stimulants over the past few decades. Behavior problems in children are commonly noticed both by parents and teachers, leading to the formulation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis.