"Pay Attention!!" ADHD Through the Lifespan

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Next Session:

Feb 18th 2013 (12 weeks long)

Workload: 2-4 hours/week 

About the Course

It is estimated that 5-8% of school-aged children and 4% of adults in the United States suffer from some form of attention deficit disorder and that the incidence of the disorder is increasing in the population. Although it is the most widely studied behavior disorder of childhood, its etiology remains unclear, its outcome is variable, and its treatment is complex and moderately successful. Advances in neuroscience have provided new insights into the pathophysiology of ADHD, pointing to key neural circuits involved in attention, behavioral control, learning, and reward maintenance that appear to be underperforming in patients with the disorder. Moreover, the etiology of this heterogeneous disorder points to the key role of genetic and environmental interactions during prenatal and perinatal periods. Over the past decade, new diagnostic and interventional approaches have enabled clinicians to better diagnose and treat ADHD across the lifespan, while longitudinal studies have elucidated the long-term impact of the disorder on health and adaptive functioning.

This course is intended for students with a background in psychology and/or neuroscience who are interested in learning more about the complexities of ADHD from both scientific and clinical perspectives. Scientific topics covered include prevalence and epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation at different ages, impact on development (intellect, academic, speech and language, emotional self control, motivation and executive functioning), health outcomes (risk taking, accidents, injuries, driving difficulties, unintended pregnancy), co-existing conditions (anxiety, mood, substance use disorders), and etiology (genetic, pre/perinatal, neurodevelopmental, neuroanatomic, neuropsychological). Clinical topics covered include approaches to assessment, medication treatments (stimulant and non-stimulant), and non-medical interventions.

About the Instructor(s)

Anthony L. Rostain, M.D., M.A. is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. He is Director of Education for the Department of Psychiatry where he is responsible for overseeing medical student education, residency, and fellowship training. He is triple boarded in pediatrics, adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry. His primary clinical focus is "lifespan neurodevelopmental psychiatry," treating patients of all ages with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism), Tourette Syndrome, Learning Disabilities (Verbal and Nonverbal), and social communication disorders. He is an attending and supervising psychiatrist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and University of Pennsylvania Heath System (UPHS).

Dr. Rostain is the Director of the Adult Development Disorders Unit (Penn Behavioral Health) which includes the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program and the Adult Social Learning Disorders Program. He is also Director of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Behavioral Health Center's Developmental Neuropsychiatry Program where he participates in clinical care, research, and educational activities. Dr. Rostain is also a faculty member in the Center for Neuroscience and Society where he participates in research seminars and teaches about clinical applications and ethical aspects of cognitive neuroscience. Most recently, he has been active in addressing the growing trend toward non medical use of stimulants for cognitive enhancement.

Dr. Rostain's research interests have focused on improving clinical outcomes for patients with ADHD and other neuropsychiatric disorders, and in creating effective service systems for high risk children, youth, and families. He completed a study of combined medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with ADHD which served as the basis of a textbook on this topic. He is currently involved in studies of differential therapeutic efficacy of medication and CBT, of developmental processes in young adults with ADHD, and of predictors of treatment response for patients with co-morbid conditions such as anxiety and substance abuse.

Course Syllabus

Week 1: Basics

• Diagnostic Criteria
• Prevalence, Epidemiology
• Clinical Case Presentations - Children, adolescents, adults

Weeks 2-5: Biology

• Genetic Factors
• Prenatal and Perinatal Factors
• Neuroanatomy
• Neurochemistry
• Summary of Neurobiology of ADHD

Week 6: Psychology

• Intellectual Development
• Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Disorders
• Emotional Self Control and Motivation
• Executive Functioning - Working Memory, Organization Planning

Week 7: Health & Long Term Outcomes

• Health Status/Sleep Problems
• Risk Taking Behaviors (Smoking, Sexuality, Substance Abuse)
• Accidents, Injuries, Driving Difficulties
• Long Term Outcomes of ADHD

               Comorbid Conditions

• Externalizing Disorders (ODD, CD) and Substance Abuse
• Internalizing Disorders (i.e. Mood and Anxiety Disorders)

Week 8: Assessment

• Diagnostic Interviewing
• Behavior Rating Scales, School Performance Measures

Weeks 9-10: Medical Treatment

• Medications - Stimulants / Review of the Literature
• Medications - Stimulants / Mechanisms of Action
• Medications - Misuse and Abuse of Stimulants
• Medications - Atomoxetine / Alpha Agonists

Weeks 11-12: Treatment 2

• Behavior Management: Home and School
• Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep Hygiene
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Neurocognitive Training

Recommended Background

Prior experience in psychology and/or neuroscience is encouraged, but all are welcome!

Course Format

The class will consist of lecture videos, which are between 20-30 minutes in length. These contain 2-3 integrated quiz questions per video. Students will be expected to conduct a critical article review, a case review, and a medication review in addition to completing quizzes and a final examination.

FAQ

• Will I get a certificate after completing this class?

• Yes, a certificate will be issued by Coursera.