Ritalin May Cause Long-Term Brain Changes

Preliminary tests in rats indicate that Ritalin may cause long-term changes in the brain, researchers report. The drug is used to help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The changes induced in animals are somewhat similar to those caused by stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, say scientists at the University of Buffalo. But they say if used properly, the drug, known generically as methylphenidate, is probably not as addictive as those drugs are. Chief researcher Joan Baizer says Ritalin is effective and beneficial, “but its not quite as simple as a short-acting drug. We need to look at it more closely”.

USA Today 11/04/2001

Kids Get Psychiatric Drugs Too Often

Doctors are increasingly prescribing psychiatric drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac to preschoolers, despite questions about safety and effectiveness, experts reported over the weekend.

“Every pressure I’m aware of is pushing toward more use of these pills in young kids, and the potential for problems is huge,” says child psychiatrist Glen Elliott of the University of California Medical School in San Francisco. He spoke at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in San Francisco.

HMO’s are encouraging quick diagnoses, working parents often can’t be home to enforce structured behavior improvement programs, and everyone seems to want “quick fixes”, Elliott says.

Nobody knows exactly how many preschool children are on psychiatric drugs. Some evidence suggests its only a few out of every 100 youngsters. But concern has been mounting since a report last year showed Ritalin use more than tripled in preschoolers between 1991 and 1995, and prescriptions for antidepressants doubled in that age group during the same period. Newer, comprehensive figures are not available.

There are a handful of scientifically sound studies confirming Ritalin’s effectiveness in 4 and 5 year olds, says Marsha Rappley, a pediatrician at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine in East Lansing. Side effects range from mild to significant – headaches, stomachaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite. But there is very little research on the safety and effectiveness in kids under 4. Her own recent study of Michigan children under 3 diagnosed with ADHD found a pattern of multi-drug use: About a third of those treated were taking 2 or 3 psychiatric drugs.

Mental health services were sparse, “so we may be ignoring their core problems and setting the stage for spotty treatment the rest of their lives,” Rappley says.

Elliott worries about the long term dangers of prescribing drugs such as Prozac to small children. Antidepressants change how the brain chemicals work, and permanent changes might result from kids taking drugs, “since we know a lot of brain development in still going on at this age,” he says.

“To fantasize (that the drugs) can’t have adverse consequences is a big leap. So far, we’ve not seen any, but we’re not very sophisticated at knowing what to look for…. There are going to be unanticipated effects from such powerful medications,” Elliott says.

Parents concerned about preschoolers’ behavior problems should check with their public schools, Rappley suggests. State and federal governments co-fund early treatment programs that may offer the best hope for heading off serious emotional problems and avoiding use of psychiatric drugs, she says.