Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng on improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cognitive function in children with ADHD. Methods: A total of 40 children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD participated in this open-label trial. Participants received daily supplements containing 500 mg of omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, 294 mg; docosahexaenoic acid, 206 mg) and 3 mg of Korean red ginseng extract (combination of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, and Rg3) for 12 weeks. No psychotropic drug was allowed during the study period. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. Neuropsychological tests on sustained attention, short-term memory, and executive function were also assessed. Results: After 12 weeks, participants showed significant improvements on ADHD-RS (31.12 ± 8.82 at baseline, 24.15 ± 11.45 at endpoint; p ＜ 0.001) and CGI-S (3.38 ± 1.18 at baseline, 2.94 ± 1.00 at endpoint; p ＜ 0.001). On the Continuous Performance Test, commission errors significantly decreased, while reaction time significantly increased. Immediate recall and delayed recall on both Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Complex Figure Test showed significant improvements. Scores of Color−Word Task from Stroop Color−Word Test also showed significant improvements after the treatment. The supplement was well tolerated. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study suggest that the combination of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng may improve ADHD symptoms and cognitive function including attention, memory, and executive function in children with ADHD. Future randomized placebo-controlled trials with a larger sample is warranted.

ObjectivePrevious studies have reported that both preference for spicy food and drinking behavior are associated with the activity of the opioid system in the central nervous system. The relationship between the preference for spicy food and the risk of alcohol dependence by comparing spicy food preference in alcohol-dependent patients vs. healthy controls was investigated. Also the association between the preference for spicy food and OPRM1 A118G was studied.MethodsA total of 150 Korean male patients with alcohol dependence and 100 normal male control subjects were included in this study. Preference for spicy food was measured using the Food Preference Scale (FPS). DNA analysis was conducted to detect the A118G polymorphism.ResultsThe mean FPS score was significantly higher in the alcohol-dependent patients (61.2±24.2) than in the normal control subjects (53.0±22.0). FPS scores differed significantly between alcohol-dependent patients and normal control subjects who had the G allele in OPRM1 A118G, but not between the two groups with the AA genotype.ConclusionA strong preference for spicy food can be assumed to be a risk factor for alcohol dependence, particularly in those carrying the G allele in OPRM1 A118G.

주의력결핍 과잉행동장애 한국형 치료 권고안 개정안(III)-The objective of this review is the revision of the Korean practice parameters for the pharmacological treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the change in the diagnostic system from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5 and psychopharmacological developments. For the evidence-based approach, the authors conducted a review of the literature, including controlled clinical trials, studies of the side effects of drugs, toxicology and meta-analyses from the United States and Europe, as well as recent research conducted in Korea. The review committee composed of Korean experts on ADHD reviewed the revised parameters. This revised version reveals how to use central nervous system psychostimulants, non-stimulants such as atomoxetine and alpha2 agonists, and other medication for ADHD, and how to manage the adverse effects of such medication. At the end of this revised version, the authors propose recommendations for the pharmacotherapy of ADHD.

No abstract

Purpose: Using simulation in continuing professional development (CPD) courses for local practitioners is uncommon in Korea. The aim of our study was to evaluate the responses of the local practitioners for a simulation-based short CPD course.Methods: Following the targeted needs assessment of local practitioners, we developed and implemented a 3-hour simulation-based CPD course for the first 5 minutes of cardiac arrest in the resource-limited local clinics. We evaluated the participant’s responses to the course using a questionnaire.Results: During the 3-year implementation period, 115 practitioners participated in 10 courses, and 113 (98%) responded to the questionnaire. The overall course satisfaction (10-point scale) was very positive (10 in 93 [82.3%], 9 in 19 [16.8%], and 8 in 1 [0.8%]). The level (5-point scale) of recommendation to the others was also high (5 in 103 [91.2%] and 4 in 10 [8.8%]). Many participants positively commented on the authentic practical experience of the uncommon crisis in their contexts.Conclusion: A simulation-based short CPD course for in-hospital cardiac arrest could provide an authentic practical experience for local practitioners working in resource-limited clinics.