This review aimed to assist clinicians in the identification and assessment of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with an emphasis on diagnostic and rating instruments. Pubmed and RISS were utilized to identify relevant studies and critical reviews on the diagnosis and assessment of adult ADHD, published between 1988 and 2010. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-v1.1, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV, the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale, and the Current Symptoms Scale have been utilized for self-reporting of current ADHD symptoms. The Brown ADD Rating Scale, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV, the Current Symptoms Scale, and the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale have also been evaluated by an observer. The Childhood Symptom Scale and the Wender-Utah Rating Scale have been used for retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD symptoms and the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale, the Adult Interview, the Brown ADD Diagnostic Form, the Conners adult ADHD diagnostic interview for DSM-IV, and the Wender-Reimherr Interview have been available as comprehensive diagnostic interviews. There is a wide variety of instruments available with respect to adult ADHD. The choice of appropriate instruments is essential for achieving accurate diagnosis and assessment of this disorder.
Adult ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies ; Weights and Measures

Background: Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has compromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the access and delivery of HIV care in Korea. Materials and Methods: People living with HIV (PLHIV), people at risk of HIV (PAR) and prescribers of HIV care were recruited through a patient advocacy group, online communities for men who have sex with men (MSM) and a HIV care center for a web-based survey between October 22 and November 26, 2020. The survey compared the frequency of hospital/clinic visits, HIV-related testing, access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or preventive medications, and experience with telehealth services by PLHIV and PAR between the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Results: One hundred and twelve PLHIV (mean age: 38.5 ± 10.2 years), 174 PAR (mean age:33.5 ± 8.0 years) and 9 prescribers participated the survey; ≥97% of the PLHIV and PAR were male. A greater proportion of PAR than PLHIV reported a decrease in the frequency of hospital/clinical visits (59.2% vs. 17.0%) and HIV-related testing (50.6% vs. 6.3%) since COVID-19. Among PAR, not engaging or engaging less in high-risk behaviors was the most frequently cited reason (51.1%) for decreased frequency of HIV-related tests. A substantial proportion of PLHIV (12.5%) and PAR (50.0%) experienced interrupted use of ART and HIV preventive medications, respectively. A substantial proportion of PLHIV (35.7%) and PAR (62.5%) were concerned about the long-term accessibility of HIV care, however, >90% had not used any types of telehealth services during the pandemic. Conclusion Overall, COVID-19 has negatively impacted the access and delivery of HIV services in Korea, especially HIV-related testing for PAR. Our findings highlight the need to develop strategies to mitigate the interrupted HIV care.

Most screening instruments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been developed and evaluated in western countries. Therefore, difficulties are often experienced when using these instruments because of the cultural differences in the symptoms of ASD. This paper reviews the screening instruments for ASD used in South Korea and explores a new direction in the screening of ASD in South Korea. Among the many published screening instruments for ASD, the screening instruments with a validated Korean version were chosen and reviewed. A total of nine autism-screening instruments met the criteria for the inclusion criteria. Nine screening instruments were summarized and the direction for the Korean version of screening instruments was discussed.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Autistic Disorder ; Korea ; Mass Screening

OBJECTIVES: We examined magical ideation in adolescent and adult group by Magical Ideation Scale (MIS). We also explored how adolescents and adults respond differently to each items of MIS. METHODS: 310 nonclinical adults and 310 Year 10 students participated in this study, and completed MIS and Symptom Checklist 90-revision (SCL-90-R). Total scores of MIS were compared between adults and adolescents. The item characteristics of MIS were evaluated by item response theory (IRT). Differential item functioning (DIF) was detected using the parameters of IRT. RESULTS: Total score of MIS was higher in adolescents than in adults, but there was no statistical significance. Item 5, 10, 13, and 16 showed significant difference on item difficulty parameters and were identified as DIF. Among DIF items, item 5 was more difficult for adolescents than adults. Item 10, 13, and 16 were more difficult for adults than adolescents. The modified MIS score excluding 4 DIF items was significantly higher in adolescents than adults. CONCLUSION: The influence of age on response to DIF items should be considered when comparing MIS scores between adolescents and adults.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Checklist ; Humans ; Magic*

The prevalence of atherothrombotic disease continues to rise, presenting an increasing number of challenges to modern society and creating interest in functional foods. Platelet activation, adhesion, and aggregation at vascular endothelial disruption sites are key events in atherothrombotic disease. Physiological challenges such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, and cigarette smoking are associated with vascular changes underlying platelet aggregation and inflammatory processes. However, it is difficult to determine the beneficial response of functional foods in healthy subjects. To address this problem, challenge models and high-risk models related to smokers, obesity, and dyslipidemia are proposed as sensitive measures to evaluate the effects of functional foods in healthy subjects. In this review, we construct a model to evaluate the effects of functional food such as natural products on blood flow based on a human intervention study.
Atherosclerosis ; Biological Products ; Blood Circulation ; Blood Vessels ; Dyslipidemias ; Functional Food* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Hyperlipidemias ; Obesity ; Platelet Activation ; Platelet Aggregation ; Prevalence ; Smoking

Objective: We sought to determine if the links between and within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAT) exhibited different conditions according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Methods: Fifty-seven children with ADHD and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were administered an intelligence test, the Children’s Depression Inventory, the Korean ADHD rating scale, and continuous performance test. Resting-state brain functional MRI scans were obtained, and COMT genotyping was performed to distinguish valine carriers and methionine homozygotes. Results: Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed increased ADHD scale scores, increased visual commission errors, and increased functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAT. Compared to all children with ADHD, children with the methionine homozygote and those who were valine carriers showed increased FC within the DMN and DAT and decreased FC between the DMN and DAT. FC within the DMN was also increased in HC valine carriers compared to HC children with the methionine homozygote, and in children with ADHD who were valine carriers compared to HC valine carriers. Conclusion We observed increased brain connectivity within the DMN and DAT and altered brain connectivity within and between the DMN and DAT associated with COMT polymorphism in children with ADHD.

OBJECTIVES: Dealing with mental diseases is an overriding concern which could bring about improvement in mental health, social equity, and quality of life. This paper analyzes the current state of research infrastructure of national mental health research in Korea and other developed countries and suggests activation plans for psychiatric research. METHODS: After performance of comparative analysis, shortcomings of Korean infrastructure are examined and activation plans are suggested. RESULTS: Korea is comparatively and absolutely lagging behind in terms of mental health Research and Development (R&D), owing to the small investment in R&D, inadequate government-led long-term developmental strategy and supporting system, absence of industrialization of developed techniques and government-led R&D project, and insufficient human resources, which impedes facilitation of mental health research. Thus, in order to facilitate mental health research, 1) Reinforce international cooperation and research capability through cultivation of professionals equipped with international competitiveness. 2) Construct a government-led R&D system by establishment of a comprehensive R&D system and mental health research institutes. 3) Build cooperative systems between industry and academic circles and promote translational research and its practical use in order to lay the cornerstone for industrialization. CONCLUSION: Developed countries have achieved significant growth and superb investment performance in the mental health industry due to constant and active investment by government. In addition, basic-clinical-mental health research regarding early diagnosis, early intervention, and tailored treatment, is actively being put into practice. In Korea, government-led long-term investment plans in psychiatric research and researcher cultivation programs should be implemented. In addition, infrastructure for application of developed techniques should also be established. If so, it will provide momentum for growth and facilitation of psychiatric research.
Academies and Institutes ; Developed Countries ; Early Diagnosis ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Humans ; International Cooperation ; Investments ; Korea ; Mental Health ; Quality of Life ; Translational Medical Research

OBJECTIVE: Risperidone, one of the most widely used atypical antipsychotics, not only ameliorates the positive symptoms of the acute phase but also improves the long-term quality of life as well. To achieve sufficient therapeutic effects, it is important to readjust the treatment regimen in case of insufficient response at an appropriate time point. However, few studies have dealt with this issue in clinical settings. METHODS: We investigated the past treatment history of 51 schizophrenics treated with risperidone for more than 48 weeks by retrospective chart review. The patients were divided into responders and non-responders by predetermined criteria, and CGI-severity scores at 7 selected time points were assessed. The time pattern of therapeutic responses was analyzed, and the appropriate point of time to reliably predict the long-term efficacy was sought. RESULTS: Thirty-one (60.8%) and 20 (39.2%) patients were respectively defined as responders and non-responders by our criteria. There was no difference in the risperidone dosage between responders and non-responders, at any time point evaluated. We observed that significant differences in the pattern of CGI-severity score between the two groups emerged after the 8th week, and that the treatment response profile during this phase might predict long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the 8-week point may be the most appropriate time to assess the clinical response to risperidone and to decide whether to continue with the regimen or change it. However, this was a naturalistic study and the study results require further confirmative research.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Risperidone* ; Schizophrenia*

This paper reviews the global effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. We reviewed research on deteriorated mental health, including increased suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Various studies have shown that students’ mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of students who committed suicide has significantly increased in the U.S. and Japan. Factors such as prior mental health status, change in daily routine, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, overuse of electronic devices, and reduced social support have been reported to have a significant effect. The chain of deteriorating mental health among the youth began at the onset of COVID-19, social distancing, and school closure. As youths began to stay at home instead of going to school, they lost opportunities to connect with their friends or teachers, who could provide support outside of their homes. Young people spent less time on physical activity and more time online, which damaged their sleeping schedule and daily routine. In preparing for the post-pandemic phase, we should thoroughly analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health, while simultaneously tackling current imminent issues.

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often encounter unique challenges when attempting to understand their children’s challenging behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, noncompliance, and stereotypies. In this study, we aimed to analyze and clarify the definition of challenging behaviors in individuals with ASD, identify the variables associated with challenging behaviors, and determine the function of these behaviors. Systematic observation and data collection are crucial to understand the functions of specific behaviors exhibited by individuals with ASD based on their antecedents and consequences. Knowledge regarding these will enable clinicians to develop and implement effective interventions. Additionally, the treatment approach should aim for generalization to improve the quality of lives of both children with ASD and their caregivers.