A recent article on WebMD, featured research showing that early use of the commonly prescribed ADHD drug, Ritalin, can lead to depression later in life.
This evidence is based on new studies performed on rats. The article does note that it is an open question as to whether what passes for depression in lab rats has anything to do with depression in humans, but the evidence of the effect on the brain, according to this study was clear.
The findings come from a research team led by William A. Carlezon Jr., PhD, director of the behavioral genetics laboratory at McLean Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School.
In a news release Carlezon was quoted as saying, "Rats exposed to Ritalin as juveniles showed large increases in learned-helplessness behavior during adulthood, suggesting a tendency toward depression.
These rats also showed abnormally high levels of activity in familiar environments.This might reflect basic alterations in the way rats pay attention to their surroundings."
The article stated that there are some close similarities between Ritalin and Cocaine. According to the article, although Ritalin and Cocaine have different effects on humans, their effects on the brain are very similar.
The article noted that when given to preteen rats, both drugs cause long-term changes in behavior. Carlezon and colleagues explained that the drug short-circuits the brain's reward system. That would make it difficult to experience pleasure -- a "hallmark symptom of depression."
"These experiments suggest that preadolescent exposure to Ritalin in rats causes numerous complex behavioral adaptations, each of which endures into adulthood," Carlezon and colleagues conclude. "This work highlights the importance of a more thorough understanding of the enduring neurobiological effects of juvenile exposure to psychotropic drugs."
Dr. Hooper's Comment
Ritalin, Speed, Cocaine what are we thinking? I can't say it loud enough: Don't put your kids on these drugs.
It seems that if any child presents with behaviour that parents or teachers thinks is unacceptable they have a 'condition' - which needs to be drugged or medicated in some way.
Kids are a product of their own genetic expression combined with what we feed them and what we teach them.
Behavioural problems in kids are not due to a deficiency of ritalin.
If your child has behavioural issues, plays sport, watches television, uses a trampoline or sits on the computer, x-box or playstation for long periods, then they are a candidate for neuromuscular skeletal care.
And kids respond well to musculoskeletal care.
It is important that they remain interference free so that their central nervous system functions as it should. Cervical (neck) problems are a source of many symptoms we see in kids; including irritability, headaches, migraines, poor sleeping, ear infections and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (lots of colds and flu).
Consider neuromuscular skeletal care for your children. Undetected problems in the spine can cause behavioural issues, learning difficulties and an inability to sit comfortably in class. Sometimes without obvious back or neck pains.
Those specialising in the treatment of spinal complaints can help to clear any underlying problems by correcting the body's most important organ - the nervous system. Ensure that your specialist is a professional registered and recognised in their field.
