Pediatric psychopharmacology

This paper reviews research in pediatric psychopharmacology over the past d ecade. The authors first discuss social, economic, and other influences on pediatric psychopharmacology research and prescribing patterns including ch anging models of childhood psychopathology, increased government funding, a nd changes in industry regulations. Definitions are offered for current res earch terminology including efficacy, effectiveness, and adverse events. De sign trends and new approaches to outcome measurement are also presented. N ew data from the last 10 years of research is reviewed for each major class of psychotropic agents. Criteria for inclusion in the review are presented and include aspects of study design (placebo-controlled, large sample size ), source of funding (government funded vs, industry), and vision (creative applications). Data for short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy, effective ness, and safety and adverse events are discussed for each class of medicat ion, although for many, there remains little empirical data. Findings for s timulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, neuroleptics, alpha-adr energic agonists, mood stabilizers: buproprion, secretin, naltrexone, immun e therapies, and natural supplements are all presented. Finally, the author s offer some speculations regarding the future of pediatric psychopharmacol ogy research.