Medication effects on cardiac autonomic modulation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Grant number: 12/09147-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date until: November 01, 2012
• End date until: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Carlos de Abreu
• Grantee: Pâmela Spina Capitão
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC). Organização Social de Saúde. Fundação do ABC. Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by lack of attention, impulsivity, and excessive motor activity. ADHD is based on genetic factors and reaches 3% to 7% of the population. To minimize the symptoms of ADHD, different methods have been used such as medication, speech therapists, psycho-pedagogical among others. The most common drugs used are stimulants such as methylphenidate. However, this type of medication can cause cardiotoxiceffectsand and cardiac conduction disturbances. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate changes in autonomic modulation of ADHD patients under drug treatment. Objective: To compare the cardiac autonomic modulation in children with ADHD with and without drug treatment through analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Method: It will be realized a cross-sectional study, with twenty-five children from five to twelve years old, all users of the Núcleo Especializado em Aprendizagem in FMABC in the period of June to December 2012. The biological characteristics studied are weight, height, body composition, and autonomic modulation. The study of autonomic modulation is performed by analyzing linear levels (in the domain of time and frequency) and nonlinear levels (in the field of chaos) of heart rate variability.(AU)