There were mixed findings with regard to the use of CPTs to assess and manage medication , with contrasting evidence on their ability to support clinical decision-making .
There was a strong evidence base for the use of objective measures of activity to aid ADHD/non-ADHD group differentiation , which appears sensitive to medication effects and would also benefit from further research on their clinical utility .
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is typically diagnosed using clinical observation and subjective informant reports .
Once children commence ADHD medication , robust monitoring is required to detect partial or non-responses .
The extent to which neuropsychological continuous performance tests ( CPTs ) and objective measures of activity can clinical ly aid the assessment and titration process in ADHD is not fully understood .
This review describes the current evidence base for the use of CPTs and objective ly measured activity to support the diagnostic procedure and medication management for children with ADHD .
Four data bases ( PsycINFO , Medline , Allied and Complementary Medicine ( AMED ) , and PsycARTICLES ) were systematic ally search ed to underst and the current evidence base for ( 1 ) the use of CPTs to aid clinical assessment of ADHD ; ( 2 ) the use of CPTs to aid medication management ; and ( 3 ) the clinical utility of objective measures of activity in ADHD .
Fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine treatment of childhood hyperactivity. Clinical and biochemical findings.
Twenty boys ( mean age , 9 + /- 2 years ) with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity received three weeks each of dextroamphetamine sulfate ( 0.5 mg/kg/d ) , fenfluramine hydrochloride ( 0.6 mg/kg/d increased to 2.0 mg/kg/d ) , and placebo in a double-blind , r and om-order , crossover design . Half the boys also met criteria for conduct disorder .  Dextroamphetamine produced immediate and marked improvement in disruptive , overactive behaviors .  Fenfluramine had no effect on any behavioral measure at either the low or high dosage . Both drugs decreased levels of urinary norepinephrine , 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol ( MHPG ) , and vanillylm and elic acid .  Fenfluramine , however , also produced a significant decrease in plasma MHPG levels and a larger decrease in urinary norepinephrine levels . It reduced urinary epinephrine levels as well , an effect opposite to that of dextroamphetamine . These findings suggest that different mechanisms of action are involved in the ability of the two drugs to reduce levels of MHPG and vanillylm and elic acid . Fenfluramine increased plasma prolactin levels and decreased platelet serotonin levels . Despite the structural similarity of the two drugs , some common overall effects on catecholamine metabolism , and similar effects on weight , fenfluramine had none of the motor activity or therapeutic effects of dextroamphetamine
There were mixed findings with regard to the use of CPTs to assess and manage medication , with contrasting evidence on their ability to support clinical decision-making .
There was a strong evidence base for the use of objective measures of activity to aid ADHD/non-ADHD group differentiation , which appears sensitive to medication effects and would also benefit from further research on their clinical utility .
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is typically diagnosed using clinical observation and subjective informant reports .
Once children commence ADHD medication , robust monitoring is required to detect partial or non-responses .
The extent to which neuropsychological continuous performance tests ( CPTs ) and objective measures of activity can clinical ly aid the assessment and titration process in ADHD is not fully understood .
This review describes the current evidence base for the use of CPTs and objective ly measured activity to support the diagnostic procedure and medication management for children with ADHD .
Four data bases ( PsycINFO , Medline , Allied and Complementary Medicine ( AMED ) , and PsycARTICLES ) were systematic ally search ed to underst and the current evidence base for ( 1 ) the use of CPTs to aid clinical assessment of ADHD ; ( 2 ) the use of CPTs to aid medication management ; and ( 3 ) the clinical utility of objective measures of activity in ADHD .