Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Treatment of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder with a chronic course that has a significant impact on learning, work, and social work in children and adults. Individuals with ADHD may seem agitated, inattentive, and may be impulsive. For children with ADHD, there is no cure, but it can be managed with appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and affected children, and medication when necessary. For adults with ADHD, medication is usually the first treatment, although psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be helpful.
What Medications Can Help Treat ADHD?
Medications can help children manage their ADHD symptoms in their daily lives.
- Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications. With these fast-acting medications, 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms.
- Non-stimulants were approved in 2003 for the treatment of ADHD. They do not work as fast as stimulants, but their effects can last up to 24 hours.
Note: Medications can affect children differently and may have side effects such as decreased appetite or sleep problems. A child may respond well to one medication but not to another.
Pathophysiology Research of ADHD
Pathophysiological studies of ADHD have focused on neuromodulation and neurochemistry.
- In neuromodulation, studies have identified abnormal activity in brain regions associated with attention and control of behavior. These brain regions include the prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dorsal alloptic cortex, and basal ganglia. The normal function of these regions and their interactions with each other is critical in leading to the control and regulation of behavior.
- In neurochemistry, research has found that ADHD is associated with neurotransmitter imbalances. Studies have shown that ADHD patients have lower levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain and that the function of brain regions associated with attention and control of behavior is compromised.
- Genetics is also an important aspect of ADHD pathophysiology research. Studies have shown that ADHD can be inherited and that genetic mutations are associated with neurotransmission and regulation.
How Can We Help?
Ace Therapeutics provides preclinical drug development services for the treatment of ADHD in two main areas: exploration of disease mechanisms, and drug screening and evaluation.
- For the exploration of disease mechanisms, recent studies have shown that abnormalities in the dopamine system and prefrontal cortical network are associated with ADHD. Therefore, we suggest that drug development should focus on drugs targeting dopamine and prefrontal cortical networks. In addition, there are new directions for drug development, such as drugs targeting the cholinergic and noradrenergic systems.
- For drug screening and evaluation, we offer services including mouse or rat models, non-human primate models, genetic or phenotypic screening, virtual screening, and high-throughput screening.
Related Services
Our Belief
Ace Therapeutics is committed to conducting research and scientific evaluations from multiple perspectives to accelerate your efforts in the development of drugs for ADHD. If you are interested in our services, please make an inquiry to learn how we can support you in your project.
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