Drug therapy in the treatment of minimal brain dysfunction.
The pharmacotherapy of minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) is reviewed. Studies using central nervous system (CNS) stimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate, deanol, pemoline, caffeine), antidepressants (imipramine and desipramine), anticonvulsants (phenytoin and primidone), antianxiety agents (chlordiazepoxide, hydroxyzine, meprobamate), antipsychotic agents (phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, butyrophenones) and miscellaneous agents (benztropine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, megavitamins) are discussed. When drugs are indicated, the CNS stimulants are the agents of choice in the treatment of MBD. The use of tricyclic antidepressants in MBD is regarded as investigational and warrants careful monitoring to minimize toxicities. Anticonvulsants have been ineffective in controlling behavior problems; however, phenytoin may be helpful in auditory perception problems. Anti-anxiety and antipsychotic agents are not as desirable as the CNS stimulants for treatment since they do not decrease distractibility or increase attention spans.
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants