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Introduction Previous studies showed the association of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. We aimed to explore the OXTR gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the ASD severity categories based on DSM-5. Method The whole encoding regions of the human OXTR gene were sequenced to identify the SNPs in 100 Turkish children with ASD. Genotypes of detected SNPs were also compared with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores. Results Disease severity of the patients carrying GA and AA genotypes (GA/AA) of rs237902 were found more severe compared to those carrying GG genotype (χ2 = 6.456, df = 2, p = .040). This finding was more powerful in boys (χ2 = 9.288, df = 2, p = .010). Similarly, GA/AA genotypes of rs237902 were found associated with higher CARS scores in boys (U = 650.5, r = 0.24, p = .021). Conclusion Significant relationship between the ASD severity categories of DSM-5 and rs237902 was shown for the first time.

WOS: 000407497300009, OBJECTIVES: Stimulants are recommended as the first-line pharmacotherapy in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methylphenidate (MPH) is the most used stimulant. Medikinet Retard has modified-release capsules of MPH (MRC-MPH). In this study, we aimed to report observations on a sample of outpatients, who had been previously treated with other agents, but switched to MRC-MPH treatment. These observations focus on the treatment course, efficacy, side effects, and switching reasons. METHODS: We included 20 out of the 163 patients with ADHD, who were previously treated with other medications, and switched to MRC-MPH. Turgay DSM-IV Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening as diagnosing tool and Rating Scale, Barkley's Stimulants Side Effects Rating Scale for screening side effects and Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity and -Improvement were administered. RESULTS: Patients' ages ranged between 9 and 17 years. Mean Clinical Global Impression ScaleSeverity (CGI-S) score before the MRC-MPH treatment was 3.2, whereas after treatment it was 3.15. CGI-S scores were not significantly different (p =.593). Loss of appetite (n = 4, 20%) and drowsiness (n = 4, 20%) were the most common adverse events during the MRC-MPH treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe significant difference between other treatment options and MRC-MPH with respect to efficacy. In terms of side effect profile, Osmotic Release Oral System-MPH was observed to be more problematic than immediate-release MPH and MRCMPH formulations, while these two regimens did not differ significantly.

WOS: 000407497300007, OBJECTIVES: Pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication impairments, and the presence of restricted interests and stereotyped behaviours. The issue of diagnostic stability, course, and prognosis of PDDs is an increasing focus of research studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the individuals who were previously diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) (one of the sub-diagnoses of PDDs) under age six years with respect to their current diagnoses. METHODS: The participants were selected among the patients who were diagnosed with PDD-NOS under six years of age in our outpatient clinic. We obtained 208 patients' file records. We were able to reach 92 patients' parent by telephone and 58 parents accepted to voluntarily participate. After the excluded cases, finally 51 patients were evaluated in this cross-sectional naturalistic follow-up study. Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) were administered to participants; Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) was completed by their parents. RESULTS: There were 44 (86.3%) male and 7 (13.7%) female participants in the study. The current mean age was 8.62 years (SD = 2.25). The mean age at the time of first diagnosis was 3.56 years (SD = 1.22). The mean duration of the follow-up period was 5.05 years (SD = 2.27). Forty-five (88.2%) of 51 patients remained to have one of the PDDs (23 autistic disorder, 22 PDD-NOS) according to DSM-IV-TR. Six patients (11.8%) did not meet the diagnostic criteria of any PDDs. Two of these six patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and one with mild-level intellectual disability. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that 11.8% patients who diagnosed as PDD-NOS less than six years old were found to be off the PDD spectrum. PDD-NOS diagnosis stability was found 43.1% and 45.1% of the patients moved to another PDD diagnosis. These findings should be supported with further studies in Turkey, by increasing sample size, and follow-up duration for understanding the course.