Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the lifelong existing disorders. Abnormal methylation status of gene promoters of oxytonergic system has been implicated as among the etiologic factors of ASDs. We, therefore, investigated the methylation frequency of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) promoter from peripheral blood samples of children with autistic features. Our sample includes 66 children in total (22-94 months); 27 children with ASDs according to the DSM-IV-TR and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and 39 children who do not have any autistic like symptoms as the healthy control group. We investigated the DNA methylation status of OXTR promoter by methylation specific enzymatic digestion of genomic DNA and polymerase chain reaction. A significant relationship has been found between ASDs and healthy controls for the reduction of methylation frequency of the regions MT1 and MT3 of OXTR. We could not find any association in the methylation frequency of MT2 and MT4 regions of OXTR. Although our findings indicate high frequency of OXTR promoter hypomethylation in ASDs, there is need for independent replication of the results for a bigger sample set. We expect that future studies with the inclusion of larger, more homogeneous samples will attempt to disentangle the causes of ASDs.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder and is characterized by symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the current study, we obtained quantitative EEG (QEEG) recordings of 51 children aged between 6 and 12 years before the initiation of methylphenidate treatment. The relationship between changes in the scores of ADHD symptoms and initial QEEG features (power/power ratios values) were assessed. In addition, the children were classified as responder and nonresponder according to the ratio of their response to the medication (>25% improvement after medication). Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the accuracy of QEEG features for predicting responders. The findings indicate that patients with increased delta power at F8, theta power at Fz, F4, C3, Cz, T5, and gamma power at T6 and decreased beta powers at F8 and P3 showed more improvement in ADHD hyperactivity symptoms. In addition, increased delta/beta power ratio at F8 and theta/beta power ratio at F8, F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, P3, and T5 showed negative correlations with Conners’ score difference of hyperactivity as well. This means, those with greater theta/beta and delta/beta powers showed more improvement in hyperactivity following medication. Theta power at Cz and T5 and theta/beta power ratios at C3, Cz, and T5 have significantly classified responders and nonresponders according to the logistic binary regression analysis. The results show that slow and fast oscillations may have predictive value for treatment response in ADHD. Future studies should seek for more sensitive biomarkers.

Melatonin is an indoleamine often used in children and adolescents. Melatonin is considered to be an effective clinical management for dyssomnias, sleep disorders present in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays. Quickacting capsules, controlled-release (CR) capsules, sublingual tablets and liquid forms are available. Melatonin is generally very well-tolerated in children and adolescents. The pharmacology, therapeutic applications, and side effects of melatonin are discussed. Although stimulants have been used most frequently in ADHD treatment their long term effects did not investigate well. Methylphenidate which is the most frequently prescribed stimulant's long term side effects on growth-development, cardiovascular, psychiatric and neurological systems are very important 2 . Stimulant diversion or misuse in long term has growing up in recent years and lead important consequences on community health 3 . Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) consortium was established in 2012 and experts on ADHD, drug safety, neuropsychopharmacology and cardiology developed a programme which investigates the long term possible side effects of stimulants 2 . In this presentation, long term side effects of stimulants (methylphenidate) will be reviewed through the perspective of ADDUCE work group study results.

BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to assess psychiatric disorders and their association with burn-related factors in a population of Turkish children with burns.