Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Brain Scan Cleared to Diagnose ADHD in Kids

A little off-topic from Lyme and Parkinson's, but relates to Lyme since some Lyme patients have children with ADHD. Personally, when my symptoms are exacerbated, I myself become less focused and am more likely to abandon a task and move to a new one. My friends have mentioned that I can be easily distracted. This issue was not typical before I got sick. Back in my prime (before 2002) I successfully authored many long technical books, did a high-tech startup as a principal, etc. Single-tasking rather than multi-tasking is something I have heard many Lymies claim is difficult for them.  Memory impairment may be part of the problem. Common examples: 

Why did I walk into this room? 
Did I take my pills yet? 
I know we have met, but I don't remember your face, where we met, or what your name is.
What day (month, year) is it? 

-Bob

Begin forwarded message:

Brain Scan Cleared to Diagnose ADHD in Kids

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WASHINGTON July 15, 2013 (AP)
 
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first medical scan that can help diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children by measuring brain waves.
The agency said Monday it cleared the NEBA system to help confirm ADHD for people ages 6 to 17. Doctors can use the device to confirm an ADHD diagnosis or to determine if more testing is necessary.

The device, from Augusta, Ga.-based NEBA Health, measures the frequency of two standard brain waves known as theta and beta waves. Children with ADHD tend to have a higher ratio of these waves than children who don't have the disorder.

The FDA approved the 15- to 20-minute test based on a study of 275 patients who had attention or behavioral issues. Clinicians evaluated the patients using the NEBA Health System as well as standard diagnostic tools like behavioral questionnaires, IQ tests and physical exams. An independent group of researchers then reviewed the data and reached a consensus on whether each patient had ADHD or not. The study results showed that use of the NEBA System helped doctors make a more accurate diagnosis than using traditional methods alone.

"Diagnosing ADHD is a multistep process based on a complete medical and psychiatric exam," said Christy Foreman, director of FDA's Office of Device Evaluation, in a statement. "The NEBA System along with other clinical information may help health care providers more accurately determine if ADHD is the cause of a behavioral problem."
Estimates of ADHD in U.S. children vary, but the American Psychiatric Association states that it affects 3 to 7 percent of school-aged children.






1 comment:

  1. Those are also symptoms of a pothead! Haha just jokin brotha. This is very interesting and could end pharmaceutical abuse towards kids. Ive heared of doctors prescribing ADD and ADHD medication to half the children in a certain school. Any doctor who thinks half of the students in a school need to be medicated is either out for the money or medically incompetent. To all parents, it's natural for your kids to want to be outside instead of in a classroom. Eventually they will understand it benefits them. Make sure you fully understand these conditions before you put these medicines into your childs body. The entire way schools are designed is currently being questioned anyways. Do your due diligence. :)

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