Is Minocycline Effective When Added to Risperidone for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder | Child Psychiatry | Research Update

Review of: Ghaleiha A et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2016;26(9): 784–791. The only medication treatments approved for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the antipsychotics risperidone and aripiprazole, which are indicated specifically to manage irritability associated with ASD. There’s been some interest in minocycline, which is a second-

Take The CME Post-Test for Psychosis in Children and Adolescents, CCPR, August 2017

Topics: Antipsychotics | Child Psychiatry | Depressive Disorder

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only (December 31, 2017). By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 1 CME credit. Click here to take your CME test. Note: All of the CME tests are available in the “My Account” section of the site when you are logged

PANDAS/PANS: A Constellation of Symptoms Searches for a Cause

Topics: Child Psychiatry | OCD

In the 1990s, investigators at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), including pediatrician Susan Swedo, MD, were conducting studies on OCD in childhood and observed that some children had a very sudden onset of symptoms rather than the typical gradual increase in OCD behavior. The appearance of the symptoms was abrupt and intense enough (reac

Diagnosing and Treating PANDAS/PANS: A View From the Clinic

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | OCD

CCPR: Dr. Greenberg, thanks for returning to CCPR. You gave great information in our March issue on Tourette’s disorder, and we know you also treat kids with PANDAS/PANS. How many kids have you seen with PANDAS/PANS? Dr. Greenberg: I devote one day a week to patients with PANDAS/PANS, and I see one to two new cases a week. I’ve probably seen 50�

Take The CME Post-Test for PANDAS, PANS, and Related Disorders, CCPR, June/July 2017

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | OCD

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only (December 31, 2017). By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits. Click here to take your CME test. Note: All of the CME tests are available in the “My Account” section of the site when you are logg

Cannabis in 2017: Preparations and Modes of Delivery

Topics: Addiction | Child Psychiatry | Substance Abuse

While the age-old tradition of smoking cannabis remains very common, several other options for preparing the drug are becoming widely available and frequently used. In this article, we’ll update you on the modern preparations and routes of administration. The main psychoactive component of cannabis is ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is pres

Adolescent Marijuana Use and Clinical Practice

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Substance Abuse

CCPR: Clinicians working with adolescents have seen that kids are frequently using marijuana now—and stronger strains of it. What does this exposure mean for them? Is there any suggestion that marijuana use is affecting development? Dr. Cermak: There is conclusive evidence that marijuana use, particularly in early adolescence, can affect brain deve

The Neuroscience of Marijuana

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Neuroscience in Psychiatry | Substance Abuse

The neuroscience of cannabis has advanced at a remarkable pace. While it’s a complicated story, the basic effects of marijuana on our brains are pretty well established and fairly easy to grasp. Some knowledge of these effects can be clinically useful, particularly when it comes to predicting the potential effects of excessive THC that your patients m

Treating Tourette’s Disorder

Topics: Child Psychiatry | OCD | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy

David was a 12-year-old boy referred for consultation by his child psychiatrist for help in managing his severe Tourette’s disorder. David had developed onset of eye blinking at age 6 in the context of problems paying attention in his first-grade classroom. He tended to call out answers and wasn’t completing tests or his homework. By age 8, he had d

Assessing and Diagnosing Tic Disorders

Topics: Child Psychiatry | OCD | Practice Tools and Tips

CCPR: Would you describe your clinical work in tic disorders and how that operates? I think readers will want to know about the number of patients you see and how the clinic is structured. Dr. Greenberg: I work in the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders program, and I see both kids with tics and OCD or OCD-related disorders as w

Concerta: Brand vs Generic

Topics: Child Psychiatry | News of Note | Pharmaceutical Industry | Psychopharmacology

In November 2016, the FDA announced that it was requiring two companies to withdraw their generic versions of Concerta (OROS methylphenidate) because of efficacy concerns. Such actions are quite unusual, and when they occur, they tend to shake doctors’ confidence in the generic drug system—which branded drug companies are often eager to encourage. B

Internet-Delivered CBT for Adolescents With OCD

Topics: Child Psychiatry | OCD | Research Update

Study Reviewed: Lenhard F et al. Therapist-guided, Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017;56(1):10–19. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.09.515 Study Type: Randomized controlled trial The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive di

Can a 10-Minute Intervention Improve Sleep in Children With ADHD?

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | Research Update

Study Reviewed: Peppers K et al. An intervention to promote sleep and reduce ADHD symptoms. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare 2016;30(6):43–48. Study Type: Open, uncontrolled clinical trial We know that kids with ADHD often have sleep issues, and that the stimulants we use to treat them can cause insomnia. What would happen if we focused our treat

Take The CME Post-Test for Autism in Children and Adolescents, CCPR, January/February 2017

Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder | Child Psychiatry | DSM

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only (December 31, 2017). By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits. Click here to take your CME test. Note: All of the CME tests are available in the “My Account” section of the site when you are logg

Promoting Children’s Gender Health: A Guideline for Professionals

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Gender & Sexuality

Monique (The patient’s name has been changed for privacy purposes.) is an African-American 16-year-old youth from a small city in Southern California who lives with her foster parents. She was referred to a community-based mental health provider because of significant depression and anxiety. In working with her, the therapist discovers that gender

Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Gender & Sexuality

Promoting Children’s Gender Health: A Guideline for Professionals

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Practice Tools and Tips

Monique (The patient’s name has been changed for privacy purposes.) is an African-American 16-year-old youth from a small city in Southern California who lives with her foster parents. She was referred to a community-based mental health provider because of significant depression and anxiety. In working with her, the therapist discovers that gender wor

Metformin Use in Autistic Children Taking Atypical Antipsychotics

Topics: Antipsychotics | Autism Spectrum Disorder | Child Psychiatry | Research Updates

Review of: Anagnostou E, Aman MG, Handen BL, et al. JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73:928–937. STUDY TYPE: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial Atypical antipsychotics are commonly used to reduce irritability and agitation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although effective, these medications lead to weight gain

Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents

Topics: Child Psychiatry

CCPR: What do we know about how gender identity forms for the average person? When does it emerge, and is there a developmental component to gender identity? Dr. Drescher: Many people have theorized about gender identity, but I would say that in our current state of knowledge about how one forms a gender identity, the answer is that we don’t know.

Helping Families Use Screen Media Sensibly

Topics: Child Psychiatry