Psychiatry 2005 - ISSN: 1550-5952 - Volume 2 - Issue 7 - July 2005
Feature Article:
A Practical Approach to Objective Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis and Management
by C. Thomas Gualtieri, MD

Learn more about a method for evaluating and treating patients with ADHD using computerized neurocognitive testing in the context of a modern neuropsychiatric clinic.
Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders: Overview and Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
by James E. Swain, MD, PhD, FRCPS; and James F. Leckman, MD

Objective: This is a practical review of Tourette syndrome, including phenomenology, natural history, and state-of-the-art assessment and treatment. Method: Computerized literature searches were conducted under the keywords Tourette syndrome, tics, and children-adolescents. Results: Studies have documented the natural history of Tourette syndrome and its frequent co-occurrence with attention problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and a range of other mood and anxiety disorders, which are often of primary concern to patients and their families. Proper diagnosis and education are often very helpful for patients, parents, siblings, teachers, and peers. When necessary, available anti-tic treatments have proven efficacious. First-line options include the alpha adrenergic agents and the atypical neuroleptics, as well as behavioral interventions such as habit reversal. Conclusions: The study of tics and Tourette symdrome has led to the development of several pathophysiological models
Rational Electroconvulsive Therapy Electrode Placement
by Conrad M. Swartz, PhD, MD; and Alexander I. Nelson, PhD, MD

Expertise in medicating depression requires experience with all types of antidepressants, including several medications within each type. Likewise, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) proficiency includes experience with each of the modern electrode placements, of which there are four. Besides traditional bilateral and right unilateral placements, ECT electrode placement includes bifrontal and left anterior right temporal (LART) placements. In comparing antidepressant drugs, clinical trials have proven few differences of statistical significance, and useful proven differences are still more unusual. Analogously, few differences have been proven between ECT electrode placements, and many reported differences can be accounted for by large differences in electrical stimulus dosage. Still, the absence of proven differences does not show that there are no useful variations. This paper reviews the meaningful differences that are generally appreciated from clinical experience and biomedical princ
Non-Stimulant Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
by Kumar Budur, MD; Maju Mathews, MD, MRCPsych; Babatunde Adetunji, MD; Manu Mathews, MD; and Jamal Mahmud, MD

Forensic Files:
Forensic Psychiatry�A Specialty with Variety
by Seth Feuerstein, MD, JD; Frank Fortunati, MD, JD; Charles A. Morgan, MD, MA; Vladimir Coric, MD; Humberto Temporini, MD; and Stephen Southwick, MD

Journal Watch:
ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, and ECT Electrode Placement
Laura Alexander

Ms. Alexander is a freelance writer who resides in New Orleans, Lousiana.

Letters to the Editor:
Hypomania with Gabapentin
Randy A. Sansone, MD; Lori A. Sansone, M.D.
Hair loss associated with long-term Sertraline treatment in teenager
T. Rais, MD; Tanvir Singh, MD; A. Rais, MD
Tarasoff: Duty to Protect (not warn)�Response to A Tale of Two States
George M. Northrup, MD

News & Trends:
July 2005