Hyun Ju Hong

Lack of association between response of OROS-methylphenidate and norepinephrine transporter (SLC6A2) polymorphism in Korean ADHD

This study investigated the relationship between the five common polymorphisms (rs2242446, rs5568, rs5569, rs998424, and rs1616905) in the norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene and the OROS-methylphenidate response in a medication-naïve Korean attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sample. One hundred thirty-seven patients with ADHD were recruited from the child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient units. The trial was an eight-week, open-label study of OROS-methylphenidate monotherapy, and treatment outcomes were measured using the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scales-IV (K-ARS) for the parents, the Clinician Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S) and the Clinician Global Impression Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Associations between the five NET polymorphisms and the drug response were analyzed using genotype and allele frequencies at each locus. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution for each NET polymorphism between responders and non-responders (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in change of the K-ARS score, change of CGI-S scores or CGI-I scores at 8 weeks among each genotype and allele of five NET polymorphisms (P>0.05). Although there were no significant positive results, our findings may have several implications and offer direction for future studies.

Increased Frontomotor Oscillations During Tic Suppression in Children With Tourette Syndrome

This work investigated whether Tourette syndrome patients exhibit alterations in neural oscillations during spontaneous expression and suppression of tics. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from 9 medication-naïve children with Tourette syndrome and 10 age-matched healthy subjects in resting conditions and during tic suppression. Their cortical oscillations were examined using the power spectral method and partial directed coherence. The authors found increased oscillations of broad frequency bands in the frontomotor regions of patients during tic expression, suggesting the involvement of aberrant cortical oscillations in Tourette syndrome. More significantly, prominent increases in theta oscillation in the prefrontal area and directed frontomotor interactions in the theta and beta bands were observed during tic suppression. Furthermore, the directed EEG interaction from the frontal to motor regions was positively correlated with the severity of tic symptoms. These findings suggest that the frontal to motor interaction of cortical oscillations plays a significant role in tic suppression.

The influence of unsupervised time on elementary school children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors

In the last few decades, changing socioeconomic and family structures have increasingly left children alone without adult supervision. Carefully prepared and limited periods of unsupervised time are not harmful for children. However, long unsupervised periods have harmful effects, particularly for those children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. In this study, we examined the influence of unsupervised time on behavior problems by studying a sample of elementary school children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. The study analyzed data from the Childrens Mental Health Promotion Project, which was conducted in collaboration with education, government, and mental health professionals. The child behavior checklist (CBCL) was administered to assess problem behaviors among first- and fourth-grade children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of unsupervised time on childrens behavior. A total of 3,270 elementary school children (1,340 first-graders and 1,930 fourth-graders) were available for this study; 1,876 of the 3,270 children (57.4%) reportedly spent a significant amount of time unsupervised during the day. Unsupervised time that exceeded more than 2h per day increased the risk of delinquency, aggressive behaviors, and somatic complaints, as well as externalizing and internalizing problems. Carefully planned afterschool programming and care should be provided to children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. Also, a more comprehensive approach is needed to identify the possible mechanisms by which unsupervised time aggravates behavior problems in children predisposed for these behaviors.

Corrigendum to “Lack of association between response of OROS-methylphenidate and norepinephrine transporter (SLC6A2) polymorphism in Korean ADHD” [Psychiatry Res. Volume 186 (2–3) (2011) 338–344]

a Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomic Research Center for Membrane Transporters, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, CHA University, Bundang CHA Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea c Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY, USA d Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Republic of Korea

A Comparative Study of Suicide Rates among 10–19-Year-Olds in 29 OECD Countries

Objective This study had two main objectives: to compare current suicide rates in OECD countries among 10–19-year-olds and to identify patterns of suicide rates based on age, gender and time. Furthermore we investigated the main dimensions that contributed to the variation in child and adolescent suicide rates across countries. Methods We combined the WHO mortality data and the population data released by OECD to calculate the suicide rates in 29 OECD countries. A self-organizing map (SOM), k-means clustering analysis, and multi-dimensional scaling were used to classify countries based on similarities in suicide rate structure and to identify the important dimensions accounting for differences among groups. Results We identified significant differences in suicide rates depending on age, sex, country, and time period. Late adolescence and male gender were universal risk factors for suicide, and we observed a general trend of declining suicide rates in OECD countries. The SOM analysis yielded eight types of countries. Most countries showed gender gaps in suicide rates of similar magnitudes; however, there were outliers in which the gender gap was particularly large or small. Conclusion Significant variation exists with respect to suicide rates and their associated gender gaps in OECD countries.

Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Adolescents

Objective: Although suicide is a serious public health concern for adolescents, there is a lack of studies that explore its risk factors in the Republic of Korea. The present study aims to investigate risk factors associated with suicidal behaviors in Korean adolescents. Methods: Participants consisted of 2258 middle and high school students who completed a series of questionnaires regarding suicide ideation or attempts, non-suicidal self-injuries, depression, impulsivity, drinking behaviors, and negative life events, including peer bullying. Results: Among the participants, 8.3% of students reported suicide ideation, while 3.2% reported a history of a suicide attempt in the past 12 months. Depression, peer-victimization, internet-related delinquency, and positive attitudes toward suicide were associated with suicidal ideations and attempts. Adverse life events were also associated with suicide ideation, but not attempts, while not living with both parents and poor family relationships were associated with suicide attempts, but not ideations. Non-suicidal self-injuries were associated with both suicide ideations and attempts. Students with suicidal ideations and attempts can be differentiated depending on the presence of self-injury. Conclusion: In addition to depression or behavioral problems, non-suicidal self-injuries and lack of support from family may also play significant roles in suicide attempts in adolescents. To facilitate the prevention of suicide in adolescents, longitudinal studies should be followed to confirm the risk factors identified in this study.

Suicidal deaths in elementary school students in Korea

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of childhood suicidal deaths among elementary school students that occurred from 2011 to 2015 in Korea.MethodsThe report form of each suicide case by the teacher in charge to the Education Ministry was reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThere were 19 suicidal deaths (12 boys, 7 girls) in elementary school students. The youngest case was a third grader (nxa0=xa01). Jumping from heights (nxa0=xa012) was the most frequently used method. Most suicides (nxa0=xa012) were committed in their homes.ConclusionThese results highlight the alarming trend of early suicidal deaths and the importance of early suicide prevention strategies, especially in schools.