Study on Methylphenidate Use With Children.

A recent study showed that all 12 child subjects being treated for ADHD using methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD, etc.) showed an increase of 300% in levels of chromosome abnormalities that are associated with increased risks of cancer and other negative health effects. This is not a conclusive study but it adds fuel to the fire of concerns about the possible long-term negative effects of the standard pharmacological traditional course of treatment of ADHD. The effects were seen in just three months after the start of the drug treatment. Over 10 million prescriptions were issued in 1996. Sales for Methylphenidate drugs increased 500% from 1991 and 1999. The lead author Randa A. El-Zein, MD., Ph.D. assistant professor of epidemiology at M.D. performed the blood studies. The principal and senior author and UTMB Professor of Environmental Toxicology Marvin Legator said that this doesn't mean that these kids are going to get cancer, but it does mean they are exposed to an additional risk factor ...

These researchers from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston reported their findings in the peer-reviewed publication Cancer Letters. It hasn't been published yet but you can find it on line.

I still have the belief that ADD/ADHD is highly over diagnosed and that many children are being medicated unnecessarily. Even if there were no risks of serious negative side effects, why would you want to start a child on a medication that they have to take practically every day, possibly for most of their lives? The fact that there is information that says there might be risks should make people hesitate even more to start a child on this treatment as a first and only option. Perhaps at least some of these children could benefit from neurofeedback training. As this type of information surfaces, it may encourage more parents to give neurofeedback a chance to help their children to calm their brains and increase their focus and attention before turning to medications, which may bring with them potential long term risks along with their short term "quick fix".

                                by Harry L. Campbell, BCIA, NRBS President

For additional information:  http://www.sciencedirct.com/science/journal/03043835

Marijuana:  Early Use Has Serious Health Impact

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that:
    among persons age 18 or older, those who first used marijuana before age 12 were twice as likely to have serious mental illness in the past year as those who first used marijuana at age 18 or older... Younger persons who start smoking marijuana are at greater risk of developing an addiction and serious mental illness later in life.

For more information, go to www.oas.samhsa.gov.