Factors Affecting Burden of Psychopharmacological Medication in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Importance of Early Diagnosis

WOS: 000385785800008Objective: The aim of the present study is to specify the frequency in psychopharmacological medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and determine their age range at diagnosis. Methods: Five hundred and twenty three children with ASD who applied to Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children Research and Training Hospital between 2010-2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Data has been obtained from computerized hospital information system. Individuals with the diagnosis of Autism (F84.0), Atypical Autism (F84.1) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Other Specified (F84.9) were screened. Results: Psychotropic medication was recommended to 28.5% of the 523 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Antipsychotics were the most common drugs of choice among psychotropic medications. The mean age at diagnosis of patients taking psychotropic medication was significantly higher than that of the patients who were not taking psychotropic medication (t=-3.064; p<0.01). The rate of psychotropic drug usage in female patients was significantly high than male patients (chi(2)=6.675; p=0.01). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the delay of diagnosis can be included as a factor for psychotropic medication need of patients with ASD. Nearly half of the patients have been diagnosed in the first three years of their life. For further benefits of studies in Turkey, evaluating the psychopharmacological drug prescription rate, age of diagnosis and related factors to determine the present situation of psychotropic medication in our country will be necessary

Factors Affecting Burden of Psychopharmacological Medication in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Objective: The aim of the present study is to specify the frequency in psychopharmacological medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and determine their age range at diagnosis. Methods: Five hundred and twenty three children with ASD who applied to Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children Research and Training Hospital between 2010 -2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Data has been obtained from computerized hospital information system. Individuals with the diagnosis of Autism (F84.0), Atypical Autism (F84.1) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Other Specified (F84.9) were screened. Results: Psychotropic medication was recommended to 28.5% of the 523 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Antipsychotics were the most common drugs of choice among psychotropic medications. The mean age at diagnosis of patients taking psychotropic medication was significantly higher than that of the patients who were not taking psychotropic medication (t=-3.064; p&lt;0.01). The rate of psychotropic drug usage in female patients was significantly high than male patients (?&sup2;=6.675; p=0.01).Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the delay of diagnosis can be included as a factor for psychotropic medication need of patients with ASD. Nearly half of the patients have been diagnosed in the first three years of their life. For further benefits of studies in Turkey, evaluating the psychopharmacological drug prescription rate, age of diagnosis and related factors to determine the present situation of psychotropic medication in our country will be necessar

High-dose glycine inhibits the loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) in healthy humans

The loudness dependence of the auditory evoked Potential (LDAEP) has been suggested to be a putative marker of central serotonin function, with reported abnormalities in clinical disorders presumed to reflect serotonin dysfunction. Despite considerable research, very little is known about the LDAEP's sensitivity to other neurotransmitter systems. Given the role of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in modulating pyramidal cell activity in cortico-cortico and thalamo-cortical loops, we examined the effect of targeting the glycine modulatory site of the NMDA receptor with high-dose glycine on the LDAEP in healthy subjects. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled repeated-measures design in which 14 healthy participants were tested under two acute treatment conditions, placebo and oral glycine (0.8 g/kg). Changes in the amplitude of the N1/P2 at varying intensities (60, 70, 80, 90, 100 dB) were examined at CZ. Compared to placebo, high-dose glycine induced a weaker LDAEP (a pronounced decrease in the slope of the N1/P2 with increasing tone loudness; p<0.02). While the exact mechanism responsible for the effects of glycine on the LDAEP are not known, the findings suggest an inhibitory effect in the cortex, possibly via activation of NMDA receptors on GABA interneurons or inhibitory glycine receptors. The findings add to the growing literature exhibiting modulation of the LDAEP by multiple neurochemical systems in addition to the serotonergic system