James Kean Tackling Hyperactivity in Boys Interview

James Kean Tackling Hyperactivity in Boys Interview

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology are investigating the effects of a special extract of a native Indian herb and its ability to reduce symptoms related to hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity in boys.

Bacopa monnieri has been used in traditional Indian medicine for memory and inflammation. More recently, specific extracts of Bacopa have undergone rigorous clinical trials, with results suggesting a cognitive enhancing effect.

The herbal extract CDRI 08 (sold in Australia as Keenmind) has been studied at Swinburne's Centre for Human Psychopharmacology for the past 10 years, demonstrating positive effects on anxiety, information processing speed and verbal learning. During this time other laboratories in Australia and internationally have generally found similar results.

'The extract we have been using has been subjected to more than 50 years of Indian government research studying its mechanisms," Professor Con Stough said.

'Studies have shown that taking this extract improves anti-oxidant defence, changes inflammatory markers and has other direct effects on the brain which all may be important for memory, cognition and our ability to concentrate."

Studies conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute in India using CDRI 08 have also found reductions in hyperactivity and inattention against baseline readings in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed children.

Researchers are hopeful that the herbal extract will aid in improving concentration, memory and cognitive performance in male children and adolescents who display symptoms of ADHD.

Mother of two, Wendy Gielen has been struggling with her 10 year old son Daniel, who is currently taking part in this study.

Daniel has not been diagnosed with ADHD but has issues with concentration and hyperactivity.

'At school, Daniel won't stay seated for more than two minutes because he can't concentrate," Mrs Gielen said.

'He disrupts other students in class and really finds it difficult to control his temper."

Mrs Gielen is hopeful that this treatment will help her son to be more focussed, both at home and school.

The testing involves completing a basic IQ test and a cognitive computer task to measure memory, attention, reaction time, inhibition and behavioural performance. Participants also complete mood measures, a choice reaction time task and a test of attention.

The study has approval from the Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee and is industry funded by Soho Flordis International. Researchers are seeking more participants.

Interview with James Kean

Question: What is hyperactivity?

James Kean: The simplest answer is that hyperactivity is the inability of an individual to remain calm and still in situations requiring them to do so, such as in a classroom setting. These children exhibit a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity that is more frequently displayed and is more severe than might be observed in other children at a comparable level of development. The issue is that the two core symptoms of this research (inattention and hyperactivity) can easily lead to one another – an inattentive child may become hyperactive out of boredom, alternatively a hyperactive child will not be able to pay attention to the task at hand if they are constantly 'on-the-go".


Question: Is hyperactivity more common in boys?

James Kean: Definitely. In fact the disorder ADHD is diagnosed more in boys than in girls at a rate anywhere between 4:1 to 9:1 around the world. This is generally because the hyperactive symptoms associated with the disorder are more common in boys and are also more noticeable in home and classroom settings.


Question: How does hyperactivity differ from ADHD?

James Kean: Hyperactivity is simply a symptom. Just like Inattention. The symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity may not necessarily result in a formal diagnosis of ADHD. However, these symptoms are still a cause of concern and distress, despite being at a sub-clinical (non-ADHD) level.

This broader spectrum of behavioural disorder covers a much larger portion of the population that can easily be ignored due to the lack of a diagnosis.


Question: How is hyperactivity diagnosed?

James Kean: Parents are always the first people to notice any unusual or excessive behaviour in their child. Teachers may then confirm they've also noticed the behaviour, which invariably leads to the parent seeking answers.

As hyperactivity is just a symptom and not a disorder in itself, it is simply accepted as a behavioural issue. This is why parents who find themselves in this position begin to seek out alternative treatment options.


Question: What are the symptoms of hyperactivity?
James Kean: As we are looking at multiple symptoms throughout the study, these are just a few examples of what parents and teachers may have witnessed:
Hyperactivity"The child may seem to be in constant motion, fidget or squirm, often run or climb, talk excessively.
Inattention"difficulty sustaining attention, listening, and attending to detail. Organisation and study skills may be poor, and the child may be distractible and forgetful.
Impulsivity"The child may blurt out answers, often interrupt or intrude, or have difficulty waiting in school and in play situations. These characteristics frequently impede social relationships.


Question: How is hyperactivity treated?

James Kean: This really depends on where the child's hyperactivity is at its most excessive.

If it is at school then the parents and teachers may take steps to facilitate the learning process, allowing not only for the child to understand the lesson plan in their own time, but also to do so without making them feel like they are being singled out.

If it's at home, then the parents and a psychologist may work together with the child in drawing up a reward system to facilitate a more cooperative environment within the family unit.

In both situations parents can utilise natural treatment remedies to facilitate these processes. Parents can access a myriad of alternative treatment options that tout various benefits. However, it's here where research and development needs to be understood better. Our study is investigating a natural treatment to reduce hyperactivity and inattention in a safe and manageable way. The outcomes of our study will be specifically for the Bacopa extract known as CDRI08 or KeenMind.


Question: Can you talk us through the research in the effects of a specific extracts of Bacopa and its ability to reduce symptoms related to hyperactivity?

James Kean: Ayurveda (Sanskrit for 'science of life"), is a 5000 year old natural medicinal system encompassing a holistic approach to healing, making it one of the oldest medical practice systems still in existence. Bacopa monnieri, or 'Brahmi", from the family Scrophulariaceae, is a perennial creeping herb that thrives in damp soils and marshes throughout the subcontinent. Bacopa has been used in the Ayurvedic medicinal system for approximately 3000 years and is classified as a medhyarasayana, a drug used to improve memory and intellect (medhya). A standardized extract of Bacopa developed at CDRI was formerly launched and made available in 1996. That extract is now known as CDRI08 or KeenMind in Australia. The reputed memory and learning enhancing effects of Bacopa have been studied in healthy adult populations with mostly positive results in terms of cognitive effects. International studies have found significant improvements in cognitive outcomes of children and adolescents with ADHD.


Question: What do you hope to achieve with this study?
James Kean: Building upon 18 years of human research into the potential effects of the unique CDRI08 extract, the primary aim of the current trial is to examine whether a 16 week administration of CDRI08 improves a range of behavioural, cognitive, mood, sleep, and neurophysiological measures in males aged 6-14 years with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. In essence, I hope to introduce Australian families to a treatment option that is safe and effective in reducing hyperactivity and inattention in young boys.


Question: Can you talk us through what benefits you've found from using specific extracts of Bacopa in relation to hyperactivity in boys?

James Kean: This is why this study is unique. International studies have found significant improvements in areas of cognition in children with ADHD. This will be the first trial looking at the benefits of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI08 or KeenMind) in Australian boys.

I have been working with children and adolescents for over 5 years now and the prospect of being a part of a new wave of natural treatment options for these families is very exciting and gratifying.

We are extremely excited about the research.


Interview by Brooke Hunter