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This paper covers the period of since the 1960s through the 2010s, tracing the process of interpreting ADHD as problem behavior in children through the administration of medication such as psychotropic drugs, from the perspective of Conrad and Schneider’s medicalization theory (Conrad and Schneider 1992=2003). Using PubMed—-a database of medical papers form around the world--and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society website, which is Japan’s leading medical paper database, we surveyed the number of papers on ADHD as well as trends in the field, comparing content. We also searched LD, a subject closely related to the topic of ADHD, adding diachronic analysis. To ascertain the source of interest on the part of medical personnel regarding ADHD, we scrutinized medical information on PubMed. This process revealed that discussions on ADHD began in the latter half of the 1960s to the 1980, followed by increased research on ADHD starting in the latter half of the 1990s. In the process of organizing previous research, we ascertained the trajectory of how diagnosis of ADHD and its treatment using psychotropic drug therapy--though previously only available in the U.S.—was subsequently made available in other countries such as the U.K., Canada, and Australia as of the 1990s. We further determined that in the U.S. it was considered a problem that the percentage of foster care children being treated with psychotropic drugs was greater than for children not in foster care. In addition, a survey of articles found on the Japan Medical Abstracts Society website concerned primarily with changes in attitudes of medical professionals regarding problem behavior in children in Japan indicated a shift in interest on the part of medical personnel from the 1980s to the 1990s from MBD to LD. This was clearly a different trajectory from that taking place in the U.S.. Meanwhile, due to the impact of internationalization of the concepts of ADHD, in Japan as well, problem behavior in children and ADHD were once again linked starting in the latter 1990s—-and the concept of ADHD also drew attention from society in general. As of the 2000s, medical professionals began to discuss theories asserting that children who were abused by their parents exhibited symptoms similar to those with ADHD. This can be considered the beginning of theories pertaining to ADHD and social protection that continue to this day.

Aims and methods: In order to elucidate the neural mechanisms of delirium, we administered the anticholinergic drug, biperiden (40 mg/kg i.p.), to 10 adult male Wistar rats and examined the resulting polygraphic recordings, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), and electromyography (EMG), for 60 min following injection. EEG data were investigated quantitatively by power spectrum analyses using fast Fourier transformation. Ten male Wistar rats receiving saline (i.p.) were used as the control group. Results: Treated rats demonstrated two types of alternating behavioral change: a hyperactive and hypoactive state. In the hyperactive state, rapid walking, excessive random sniffing, and retropulsion were observed, with EEG desynchronization (significantly increased alpha1 (8.0–10.0 Hz), alpha2 (10.0–13.0 Hz), and beta (13.0–30.0 Hz) power values), as well as EEG slowing (significantly increased delta (0.5–4.0 Hz) and theta1 (4.0–6.0 Hz) power values): significantly marked rapid eye movement, and increased EMG activity. In the hypoactive state, motor arrest and drowsiness were observed, with prominent EEG slowing (significantly increased delta and theta1 power values): significantly decreased rapid eye movement and moderately decreased EMG activity. On the other hand, the control group did not show any behavioral or polygraphic changes. Conclusions: The behavioral and polygraphic changes induced by biperiden administration in rats are similar to those of delirium in humans. Therefore, it is proposed that biperiden-treated rats are a good delirium model and the anticholinergic mechanism is one of the potent factors in the development of delirium in humans.