Past, Present, and Future of Clinical Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

Choi, Sung Ku

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The objectives are to deliver clinicians and researchers in academia the history, ethics, current principles, guidelines and issues of research in child and adolescent psychopharmacology and to identify challenges facing professionals in the field.
METHODS
Children as research subjects were exploited and abused until the middle of 20th century. The response to the conduct of unethical research lead to the overprotection of human subjects in biomedical and behavioral research. In the 1990s, increased spending and the introduction of pediatric exclusivity lead to a large increase in pediatric psychopharmacologic research. Despite the increased number of research, concerns exist about methods and bioethics for making new medications available for use in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Through literature review and personal experience, concerns and issues surrounding the research in child and adolescent psychopharmacology were discussed.
CONCLUSION
To ensure early access of new drugs for treating psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, we must strengthen our ability to self-assess in the field of research, be familiar with bioethics and be able to address the challenges posed by the restrictive environment governing child and adolescent psychopharmacology research.