People_

Dr Alison Poulton

Senior Lecturer Paediatrics
Paediatrics &
Child Health, Nepean Clinical School

Phone

+61 2 4734 3363

Email

alison.poulton@sydney.edu.au

Details

Member of the Brain and Mind Centre

Member of the Charles Perkins Centre

Websites

Website with patient/parent information

Poulton on ADHD

Biographical details

I am a paediatrician specialising in treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I studied medicine at Girton College Cambridge and Guy’s Hospital London, qualifying in 1982. I trained in paediatrics in Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham UK before migrating to Australia. I completed my advanced training in Melbourne and Sydney and gained the FRACP in 1993. I work at Nepean Hospital, at Penrith Child and Youth Mental Health Service and in private practice in Penrith and have raised a family of four children.

Research interests

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

I have been studying the effects of stimulant medication in children with ADHD since 1996. The initial period of weight loss associated with the appetite suppression that occurs on a stimulant leads to transient slowing of growth and in the longer term, to slower progress through puberty [1] [2]. Stimulant medication improves the symptoms of ADHD, enhancing motivation; it also stabilises the negative mood in oppositional defiant disorder.

Around 40% of children with ADHD also meet diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), which is far higher than would be anticipated by a chance association. I have developed a clinical model, the Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model to explain this [3]. The model describes the clinical characteristics of ADHD as the outcome of an interaction between executive functioning deficits and a lack of the subjective experience of reward. In my current research with children with ADHD I am collecting data to test the model and also comparing the clinical effects of dexamphetamine and methylphenidate on the symptoms of ADHD, ODD, mood, appetite and weight.

Obesity

There is substantial overlap between ADHD and obesity; symptoms of ADHD, such as inconsistent motivation and impulsiveness, with lack of meaningful consideration of the consequences of an action, are also common in obesity. The efficacy of the stimulants for treating obesity has long been recognised, but they are not generally considered appropriate due to their abuse potential [4]. However, similar arguments have not prevented their ongoing use in ADHD; moreover opiates are far more addictive but still have an important role in clinical medicine. I am working towards developing an inexpensive intervention that emphasises establishing a healthier lifestyle with the help of a 6 month course of treatment using the stimulant medication dexamphetamine to target the behavioural characteristics that can make weight loss almost unachievable for people with obesity [5].

Population based research and Data linkage

I am interested in the long-term effects of ADHD and stimulant medication at a population level and have been carrying out a data linkage study of the reproductive outcomes of women with previous stimulant treatment for ADHD. I am planning a study of the cardiovascular effects of long-term treatment.

Full text links

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3549744/pdf/1687-9856-2012-30.pdf

[2] http://journals.lww.com/intclinpsychopharm/Fulltext/2016/03000/Stimulant_medication_effects_on_growth_and_bone.5.aspx

[3] http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/therapy-for-adhd-directed-towards-addressing-the-dual-imbalances-in-mental-effort-and-reward-as-illu

[4]http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2016.00105/full

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321610/

Teaching and supervision

I am interested in teaching about ADHD. As a paediatrician specialising in the treatment of ADHD, one of the skills I have developed is in explaining ADHD and its effects in simple terms, with pictures that parents and children can understand. These explanations can be found on my website:http://www.poultonadhd.com.au/

Current projects

Current projects

Randomised study comparing the effects of the stimulant medications dexamphetamine and methylphenidate for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

· This is being carried out as an MD project with University of Sydney medical students

Planned projects

ADHD, stimulant medication, crime and mortality

Associations

Australian ADHD Professionals Association

Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia

Themes

Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, Neurosciences and Mental Health

Keywords

ADHD/Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Child health

Approaches

Child, Complications, Growth & Development

Clinical speciality

Paediatrics

Current research students

Project title	Research student
A randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of dexamphetamine compared to placebo for treating obesity complicated by obstructive sleep	Natalie GAUCI
Developing a cost effective treatment program for obesity using dexamphetamine	Hazer KHALIFA

Publications

By Type

Expand all

Book Chapters

Poulton, A. (2015). Therapy for ADHD Directed Towards Addressing the Dual Imbalances in Mental Effort and Reward as Illustrated in the Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model (MERIM). In Jill M Norvilits (Eds.), ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment, (pp. 303-330). Rijeka: InTech Publishers. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2012). Growth Monitoring on Psychotropic Medication. In Victor R. Preedy (Eds.), Handbook of Growth and Growth Monitoring in Health and Disease, (pp. 1737-1754). London, England: Springer.

Journals

Nielsen, T., Nanan, R., Butler, T., Nassar, N., Poulton, A. (2025). Changing patterns of treatment and prescribers of stimulants for children, adolescents and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in New South Wales, Australia: evidence for a treatment bottleneck? - A database study. Australasian Psychiatry. [More Information]
Sharma, H., Liu, A., Rahman, M., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Documentation and management of paediatric obesity: Evidence from a paediatric inpatient unit. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Heiler, S., Bedford, J., Liu, L., Dyson, M., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Empowering general practitioners to diagnose and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Insights from an Australian pilot program. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. [More Information]
Garsia, K., Liu, A., Low, G., Gandham, S., Wensing, M., Ocariza, L., Scobie, R., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Maternal and neonatal health outcomes for First Nations Australian women and children: A retrospective cohort study in a Western Sydney metropolitan tertiary referral centre. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 60(2-3), 47-52. [More Information]
Ocariza, L., Leong, G., Gandham, S., Poulton, A., Liu, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Paediatric obesity diagnosis and intervention practices in Australian hospitals – Australia-wide survey. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. [More Information]
Bhurawala, H., Lee, S., Trompert-Thompson, K., Toh, S., Poulton, A. (2024). Screening, investigation and follow-up of neonates with small for gestational age in a metropolitan hospital in Australia-observational retrospective study. Translational Pediatrics, 13(9), 1540-1550. [More Information]
Kwon, S., Bhurawala, H., Munoz, A., Kramer, J., Poulton, A. (2023). General practitioners’ attitudes and knowledge about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Insights from a survey. Australasian Psychiatry. [More Information]
Babajanyan, D., Freame, L., Steele, R., Poulton, A. (2023). Understanding Attentional Functioning in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—Could This Improve Diagnostic Specificity? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6). [More Information]
Poulton, A., Kramer, J. (2022). ADHD in children What the GP can do. Medicine Today, 23(7), 39-44.
Neo, E., Sharma, H., Mason, L., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2022). The psychosocial impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58(10), 1786-1791. [More Information]
Sandhu, A., Toll, J., Poulton, A. (2021). A community survey of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their experience of medication effectiveness. Australasian Psychiatry, 29(1), 75-79. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2021). Recognising attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Australian Journal of General Practice, 50(3), 110-113. [More Information]
Faraone, S., Banaschewski, T., Coghill, D., Zheng, Y., Biederman, J., Bellgrove, M., Newcorn, J., Gignac, M., Al Saud, N., Manor, I., Poulton, A., et al (2021). The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based Conclusions about the Disorder. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 128, 789-818. [More Information]
Ross, L., Sapre, V., Stanislaus, C., Poulton, A. (2020). Dose Adjustment of Stimulants for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review of the Impact of Exceeding Recommended Doses. CNS Drugs, 34(6), 643-649. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Paterson, R. (2020). Stimulant prescribing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): what guides clinicians in their choice of an upper limit for dose titration? Australasian Psychiatry, 28(5), 568-572. [More Information]
Jaffer, S., Goel, D., Poulton, A. (2019). Additional Data to Explain Childhood Obesity. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(6), 604-605. [More Information]
Trompf, L., Puusepp-Benazzouz, H., Poulton, A. (2019). Challenging the Association Between Screen Time and Cognitive Development. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(9), 890-891. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2019). Database Studies and the Pitfall of Imputing Complex Clinical Causality. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 80(2), e1. [More Information]
Jarrett, O., Puusepp-Benazzouz, H., Poulton, A. (2019). Early-Life Exposure to Income Inequality and Adolescent Bullying. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(12), 1212-1213. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Eslick, G. (2019). Effective Stimulant Dosing in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Reply. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(12), 1210-1212. [More Information]
Ching, C., Eslick, G., Poulton, A. (2019). Evaluation of Methylphenidate Safety and Maximum-Dose Titration Rationale in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(7), 630-639. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Yap, R., Sandhu, J., Ng, S., Fernando, M., Oakeshott, P. (2019). Involving medical students in a community-based project on ADHD: a novel learning experience. Future Healthcare Journal, 6, 146-147. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Poulton, A., Hunt, G., Reid, F. (2019). Walking and living independently with spina bifida: a 50-year prospective cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 61(10), 1202-1207. [More Information]
Gribble, L., Gandham, S., Poulton, A. (2018). A Baby-Led Approach to Complementary Feeding. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(2), 197-198. [More Information]
Feng, L., Hoyland, L., Poulton, A. (2018). Cannabidiol in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 379(8), 794-795. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Lampropoulos, B. (2018). Diagnostic Outcomes of Children Referred for Multidisciplinary Assessment. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54(2), 212. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Armstrong, B., Nanan, R. (2018). Perinatal Outcomes of Women Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Australian Population-Based Cohort Study. CNS Drugs, 32(4), 377-386. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2017). Impulsive Aggression and the Significance of Bullying in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 27(1), 101. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Lee, K. (2017). Stimulant use and bone mineral density. JAMA Pediatrics, 121(5), 494-495. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2017). Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(6), 439. [More Information]
Lockhart, F., Liu, A., Champion, B., Peek, M., Nanan, R., Poulton, A. (2017). The effect of cigarette smoking during Pregnancy on endocrine Pancreatic Function and Fetal growth: a Pilot study. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 1-6. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2017). Transition in ADHD: Attention to the lifespan. Australasian Psychiatry, 25(2), 126-129. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2016). Attitudes of Australian neonatologists to resuscitation of extremely preterm infants. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 52(1), 98-99. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2016). Does Metformin Really Increase Height or Is There Some Problem With the Controls? JAMA Pediatrics, 170(6), 620-621. [More Information]
Yeo, V., Poulton, A., Ashokan, A. (2016). DRD4, Income, and Children's Food Choices: Plasticity Allele or Different Opportunities? JAMA Pediatrics, 170(80), 810-811. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Chen, F., Nanan, R. (2016). Epinephrine administration and pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest. JAMA, 315(4), 416-417. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Bui, Q., Melzer, E., Evans, R. (2016). Stimulant medication effects on growth and bone age in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A prospective cohort study. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 31(2), 93-99. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Hibbert, E., Champion, B., Nanan, R. (2016). Stimulants for the control of hedonic appetite. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 1-8. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Whale, S., Robinson, J. (2016). The Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model and Its Implications for Behaviour Management. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 26(2), 155-165. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Zehetner, A. (2015). Cardiovascular Safety of Stimulants in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 25(10), 824-824. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G. (2015). Mortality after Bladder Augmentation in Children with Spina Bifida. The Journal of Urology, 194(4), 1169-1171. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Reid, F., Poulton, A., Markus, H., Whitaker, R., Hunt, G. (2015). Neurological level at birth predicts survival to the mid-40s and urological deaths in open spina bifida: A complete prospective cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 57(7), 634-638. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Hibbert, E., Champion, B., Cook, T., Alais, D., Coulshed, D. (2015). Piloting a new approach to the treatment of obesity using dexamphetamine. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 6, 1-6. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Poulton, A., Hunt, G. (2015). Re: Cross-sectional study of determinants of upper and lower urinary tract outcomes in adults with spinal dysraphism - New recommendations for urodynamic followup guidelines? The Journal of Urology, 194(6), 1827-1828. [More Information]
Tripp, N., Hainey, K., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Peek, M., Kim, J., Nanan, R. (2014). An emerging model of maternity care: Smartphone, midwife, doctor? Women and Birth, 27(1), 64-67. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2014). Drugs for the treatment of obesity. JAMA, 311(17), 1807-1807. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2014). Review: no evidence that stimulant medication for ADHD influences lifetime risk of substance use or dependence. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 17(1), 16-16. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2014). The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder phenotype as a summation of deficits in executive functioning and reward sensitivity: does this explain its relationship with oppositional defiant disorder? Australasian Psychiatry, 22(2), 174-178. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Sudarsanam, A. (2014). The New INCLEN Diagnostic Tool - A Comment. Indian Pediatrics, 51(6), 448-449.
Poulton, A., Rai, D., Venter, K. (2014). Treatments for pediatric status epilepticus. JAMA, 312(9), 962. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Melzer, E., Tait, P., Garnett, S., Cowell, C., Baur, L., Clarke, S. (2013). Growth and pubertal development of adolescent boys on stimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Journal of Australia, 198(1), 29-32. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Liu, A., Nanan, R. (2012). Budesonide in preschool-age children with recurrent wheezing. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(6), 570-570. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Poulton, A., Champion, B. (2012). Clinical pathways: a departure from the art of medicine. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(2), 96-96. [More Information]
Suresh, A., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Quinton, A., Amer, Z., Mongelli, M., Martin, A., Benzie, R., Peek, M., Nanan, R. (2012). Comparison of maternal abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and body mass index as markers for pregnancy outcomes: A stratified cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 52(5), 420-426. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2012). Open spina bifida: birth findings predict long-term outcome. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(5), 474-476. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Briody, J., McCorquodale, T., Melzer, E., Herrmann, M., Baur, L., Duque, G. (2012). Weight loss on stimulant medication: how does it affect body composition and bone metabolism? -- A prospective longitudinal study. International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology, 30(1), 1-9. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Babajanyan, A., Nanan, R. (2011). Restricted elimination diet for ADHD. The Lancet, 377(9777), 1567-1568. [More Information]
Eysbouts, Y., Poulton, A., Salmelainen, P. (2011). Stimulant medication in pre-school children in New South Wales. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47(12), 870-874. [More Information]
Delsing, C., van den Wittenboer, E., Liu, A., Peek, M., Quinton, A., Mongelli, M., Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2011). The relationship between maternal opiate use, amphetamine use and smoking on fetal growth. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 51(5), 446-451. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2010). Oral megadose methylphenidate ingestion for suicide attempt. Pediatrics International, 52(5), 852. [More Information]
Maheshwari, R., Nair, A., Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2010). Smoking and brain development in preterm infants. The Journal of Pediatrics, 157(2), 346-347. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2010). Time to redefine the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47, 332-4. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2009). Age-related changes in motor subtle signs among girls and boys with ADHD. Neurology, 73(15), 1248-1249. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2009). Expectation of life and unexpected death in open spina bifida: a 40-year complete, non-selective, longitudinal cohort study. Cerebrospinal Fluid Research, 6(Suppl 2), S4-S4. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2009). Expectation of life and unexpected death in open spina bifida: a 40-year complete, non-selective, longitudinal cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(8), 749-753. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2009). Stimulant medications and growth. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5), 574-576. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Effects of Prolonged and Exclusive Breastfeeding on Childhood Behavior and Maternal Adjustment: Evidence From a Large Randomized Trial. Pediatrics, 122(2), 474. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). In the long run, skills are as good as pills for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Journal of Australia, 189(5), 295-296. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Measurement of Growth in Stimulant-Naive Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Using Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Approaches. Pediatrics, 122(1), 221. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Liu, A., Poulton, A. (2008). Nasal CPAP for Very Preterm Infants. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(23), 2520-2521. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Kwok, S., Nanan, R. (2008). Overweight in Children and Adolescents in Relation to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatrics, 122(4), 910. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Prior treatment with stimulant medication: A much neglected confounder of studies of growth in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 18(4), 385-387. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Singh, G., Poulton, A. (2008). Reductions in Incidence of Invasive Group B Streptococcal Disease in the United States. JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(14), 1649-1650. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Poulton, A. (2008). Routine Measurement of Head Circumference as a Tool for Detecting Intracranial Expansion in Infants. Pediatrics, 121(6), 1298. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2008). To the editor: efficacy of oral iron for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with low ferritin levels. Pediatric Neurology, 39(1), 74-74. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Melzer, E. (2007). Changes in body composition on stimulant medication in 13 children (12 boys) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 92(Supplement 1, G/TUES/END5), A14-A14.
Poulton, A. (2007). Effect of long-term treatment with stimulant medication on growth? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(3), 305 (Letters to the Editor)-305. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2007). Mistakes and misconduct in the research literature: retractions just the tip of the iceberg. Medical Journal of Australia, 186(6), 323-324. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2006). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stimulants, statistics, and methodology. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 16(4), 507-508. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2006). Growth and sexual maturation in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 18(4), 427-434. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2006). Long-term outcomes of stimulant medication in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 6(4), 551-561. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2005). Growth on stimulant medication; clarifying the confusion: a review. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 90(8), 801-806. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Halasz, G., Vance, A. (2003). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Divergent perspectives (multiple letters). Medical Journal of Australia, 178(5), 247-248.
Poulton, A., Cowell, C. (2003). Slowing of growth in height and weight on stimulants: A characteristic pattern. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 39(3), 180-185. [More Information]

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By Year

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2025

Nielsen, T., Nanan, R., Butler, T., Nassar, N., Poulton, A. (2025). Changing patterns of treatment and prescribers of stimulants for children, adolescents and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in New South Wales, Australia: evidence for a treatment bottleneck? - A database study. Australasian Psychiatry. [More Information]

2024

Sharma, H., Liu, A., Rahman, M., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Documentation and management of paediatric obesity: Evidence from a paediatric inpatient unit. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Heiler, S., Bedford, J., Liu, L., Dyson, M., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Empowering general practitioners to diagnose and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Insights from an Australian pilot program. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. [More Information]
Garsia, K., Liu, A., Low, G., Gandham, S., Wensing, M., Ocariza, L., Scobie, R., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Maternal and neonatal health outcomes for First Nations Australian women and children: A retrospective cohort study in a Western Sydney metropolitan tertiary referral centre. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 60(2-3), 47-52. [More Information]
Ocariza, L., Leong, G., Gandham, S., Poulton, A., Liu, A., Bhurawala, H. (2024). Paediatric obesity diagnosis and intervention practices in Australian hospitals – Australia-wide survey. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. [More Information]
Bhurawala, H., Lee, S., Trompert-Thompson, K., Toh, S., Poulton, A. (2024). Screening, investigation and follow-up of neonates with small for gestational age in a metropolitan hospital in Australia-observational retrospective study. Translational Pediatrics, 13(9), 1540-1550. [More Information]

show 2 more

2023

Kwon, S., Bhurawala, H., Munoz, A., Kramer, J., Poulton, A. (2023). General practitioners’ attitudes and knowledge about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Insights from a survey. Australasian Psychiatry. [More Information]
Babajanyan, D., Freame, L., Steele, R., Poulton, A. (2023). Understanding Attentional Functioning in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—Could This Improve Diagnostic Specificity? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6). [More Information]

2022

Poulton, A., Kramer, J. (2022). ADHD in children What the GP can do. Medicine Today, 23(7), 39-44.
Neo, E., Sharma, H., Mason, L., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Bhurawala, H. (2022). The psychosocial impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58(10), 1786-1791. [More Information]

2021

Sandhu, A., Toll, J., Poulton, A. (2021). A community survey of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their experience of medication effectiveness. Australasian Psychiatry, 29(1), 75-79. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2021). Recognising attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Australian Journal of General Practice, 50(3), 110-113. [More Information]
Faraone, S., Banaschewski, T., Coghill, D., Zheng, Y., Biederman, J., Bellgrove, M., Newcorn, J., Gignac, M., Al Saud, N., Manor, I., Poulton, A., et al (2021). The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based Conclusions about the Disorder. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 128, 789-818. [More Information]

2020

Ross, L., Sapre, V., Stanislaus, C., Poulton, A. (2020). Dose Adjustment of Stimulants for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review of the Impact of Exceeding Recommended Doses. CNS Drugs, 34(6), 643-649. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Paterson, R. (2020). Stimulant prescribing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): what guides clinicians in their choice of an upper limit for dose titration? Australasian Psychiatry, 28(5), 568-572. [More Information]

2019

Jaffer, S., Goel, D., Poulton, A. (2019). Additional Data to Explain Childhood Obesity. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(6), 604-605. [More Information]
Trompf, L., Puusepp-Benazzouz, H., Poulton, A. (2019). Challenging the Association Between Screen Time and Cognitive Development. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(9), 890-891. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2019). Database Studies and the Pitfall of Imputing Complex Clinical Causality. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 80(2), e1. [More Information]
Jarrett, O., Puusepp-Benazzouz, H., Poulton, A. (2019). Early-Life Exposure to Income Inequality and Adolescent Bullying. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(12), 1212-1213. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Eslick, G. (2019). Effective Stimulant Dosing in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Reply. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(12), 1210-1212. [More Information]
Ching, C., Eslick, G., Poulton, A. (2019). Evaluation of Methylphenidate Safety and Maximum-Dose Titration Rationale in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(7), 630-639. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Yap, R., Sandhu, J., Ng, S., Fernando, M., Oakeshott, P. (2019). Involving medical students in a community-based project on ADHD: a novel learning experience. Future Healthcare Journal, 6, 146-147. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Poulton, A., Hunt, G., Reid, F. (2019). Walking and living independently with spina bifida: a 50-year prospective cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 61(10), 1202-1207. [More Information]

show 5 more

2018

Gribble, L., Gandham, S., Poulton, A. (2018). A Baby-Led Approach to Complementary Feeding. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(2), 197-198. [More Information]
Feng, L., Hoyland, L., Poulton, A. (2018). Cannabidiol in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 379(8), 794-795. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Lampropoulos, B. (2018). Diagnostic Outcomes of Children Referred for Multidisciplinary Assessment. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54(2), 212. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Armstrong, B., Nanan, R. (2018). Perinatal Outcomes of Women Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Australian Population-Based Cohort Study. CNS Drugs, 32(4), 377-386. [More Information]

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2017

Poulton, A. (2017). Impulsive Aggression and the Significance of Bullying in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 27(1), 101. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Lee, K. (2017). Stimulant use and bone mineral density. JAMA Pediatrics, 121(5), 494-495. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2017). Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(6), 439. [More Information]
Lockhart, F., Liu, A., Champion, B., Peek, M., Nanan, R., Poulton, A. (2017). The effect of cigarette smoking during Pregnancy on endocrine Pancreatic Function and Fetal growth: a Pilot study. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 1-6. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2017). Transition in ADHD: Attention to the lifespan. Australasian Psychiatry, 25(2), 126-129. [More Information]

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2016

Poulton, A. (2016). Attitudes of Australian neonatologists to resuscitation of extremely preterm infants. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 52(1), 98-99. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2016). Does Metformin Really Increase Height or Is There Some Problem With the Controls? JAMA Pediatrics, 170(6), 620-621. [More Information]
Yeo, V., Poulton, A., Ashokan, A. (2016). DRD4, Income, and Children's Food Choices: Plasticity Allele or Different Opportunities? JAMA Pediatrics, 170(80), 810-811. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Chen, F., Nanan, R. (2016). Epinephrine administration and pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest. JAMA, 315(4), 416-417. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Bui, Q., Melzer, E., Evans, R. (2016). Stimulant medication effects on growth and bone age in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A prospective cohort study. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 31(2), 93-99. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Hibbert, E., Champion, B., Nanan, R. (2016). Stimulants for the control of hedonic appetite. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 1-8. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Whale, S., Robinson, J. (2016). The Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model and Its Implications for Behaviour Management. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 26(2), 155-165. [More Information]

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2015

Poulton, A., Zehetner, A. (2015). Cardiovascular Safety of Stimulants in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 25(10), 824-824. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G. (2015). Mortality after Bladder Augmentation in Children with Spina Bifida. The Journal of Urology, 194(4), 1169-1171. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Reid, F., Poulton, A., Markus, H., Whitaker, R., Hunt, G. (2015). Neurological level at birth predicts survival to the mid-40s and urological deaths in open spina bifida: A complete prospective cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 57(7), 634-638. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Hibbert, E., Champion, B., Cook, T., Alais, D., Coulshed, D. (2015). Piloting a new approach to the treatment of obesity using dexamphetamine. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 6, 1-6. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Poulton, A., Hunt, G. (2015). Re: Cross-sectional study of determinants of upper and lower urinary tract outcomes in adults with spinal dysraphism - New recommendations for urodynamic followup guidelines? The Journal of Urology, 194(6), 1827-1828. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2015). Therapy for ADHD Directed Towards Addressing the Dual Imbalances in Mental Effort and Reward as Illustrated in the Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model (MERIM). In Jill M Norvilits (Eds.), ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment, (pp. 303-330). Rijeka: InTech Publishers. [More Information]

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2014

Tripp, N., Hainey, K., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Peek, M., Kim, J., Nanan, R. (2014). An emerging model of maternity care: Smartphone, midwife, doctor? Women and Birth, 27(1), 64-67. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2014). Drugs for the treatment of obesity. JAMA, 311(17), 1807-1807. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2014). Review: no evidence that stimulant medication for ADHD influences lifetime risk of substance use or dependence. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 17(1), 16-16. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2014). The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder phenotype as a summation of deficits in executive functioning and reward sensitivity: does this explain its relationship with oppositional defiant disorder? Australasian Psychiatry, 22(2), 174-178. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Sudarsanam, A. (2014). The New INCLEN Diagnostic Tool - A Comment. Indian Pediatrics, 51(6), 448-449.
Poulton, A., Rai, D., Venter, K. (2014). Treatments for pediatric status epilepticus. JAMA, 312(9), 962. [More Information]

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2013

Poulton, A., Melzer, E., Tait, P., Garnett, S., Cowell, C., Baur, L., Clarke, S. (2013). Growth and pubertal development of adolescent boys on stimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Journal of Australia, 198(1), 29-32. [More Information]

2012

Poulton, A., Liu, A., Nanan, R. (2012). Budesonide in preschool-age children with recurrent wheezing. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(6), 570-570. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Poulton, A., Champion, B. (2012). Clinical pathways: a departure from the art of medicine. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(2), 96-96. [More Information]
Suresh, A., Liu, A., Poulton, A., Quinton, A., Amer, Z., Mongelli, M., Martin, A., Benzie, R., Peek, M., Nanan, R. (2012). Comparison of maternal abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and body mass index as markers for pregnancy outcomes: A stratified cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 52(5), 420-426. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2012). Growth Monitoring on Psychotropic Medication. In Victor R. Preedy (Eds.), Handbook of Growth and Growth Monitoring in Health and Disease, (pp. 1737-1754). London, England: Springer.
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2012). Open spina bifida: birth findings predict long-term outcome. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(5), 474-476. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Briody, J., McCorquodale, T., Melzer, E., Herrmann, M., Baur, L., Duque, G. (2012). Weight loss on stimulant medication: how does it affect body composition and bone metabolism? -- A prospective longitudinal study. International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology, 30(1), 1-9. [More Information]

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2011

Poulton, A., Babajanyan, A., Nanan, R. (2011). Restricted elimination diet for ADHD. The Lancet, 377(9777), 1567-1568. [More Information]
Eysbouts, Y., Poulton, A., Salmelainen, P. (2011). Stimulant medication in pre-school children in New South Wales. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47(12), 870-874. [More Information]
Delsing, C., van den Wittenboer, E., Liu, A., Peek, M., Quinton, A., Mongelli, M., Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2011). The relationship between maternal opiate use, amphetamine use and smoking on fetal growth. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 51(5), 446-451. [More Information]

2010

Poulton, A. (2010). Oral megadose methylphenidate ingestion for suicide attempt. Pediatrics International, 52(5), 852. [More Information]
Maheshwari, R., Nair, A., Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2010). Smoking and brain development in preterm infants. The Journal of Pediatrics, 157(2), 346-347. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2010). Time to redefine the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47, 332-4. [More Information]

2009

Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2009). Age-related changes in motor subtle signs among girls and boys with ADHD. Neurology, 73(15), 1248-1249. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2009). Expectation of life and unexpected death in open spina bifida: a 40-year complete, non-selective, longitudinal cohort study. Cerebrospinal Fluid Research, 6(Suppl 2), S4-S4. [More Information]
Oakeshott, P., Hunt, G., Poulton, A., Reid, F. (2009). Expectation of life and unexpected death in open spina bifida: a 40-year complete, non-selective, longitudinal cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(8), 749-753. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2009). Stimulant medications and growth. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5), 574-576. [More Information]

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2008

Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Effects of Prolonged and Exclusive Breastfeeding on Childhood Behavior and Maternal Adjustment: Evidence From a Large Randomized Trial. Pediatrics, 122(2), 474. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). In the long run, skills are as good as pills for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Journal of Australia, 189(5), 295-296. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Measurement of Growth in Stimulant-Naive Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Using Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Approaches. Pediatrics, 122(1), 221. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Liu, A., Poulton, A. (2008). Nasal CPAP for Very Preterm Infants. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(23), 2520-2521. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Kwok, S., Nanan, R. (2008). Overweight in Children and Adolescents in Relation to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatrics, 122(4), 910. [More Information]
Poulton, A., Nanan, R. (2008). Prior treatment with stimulant medication: A much neglected confounder of studies of growth in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 18(4), 385-387. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Singh, G., Poulton, A. (2008). Reductions in Incidence of Invasive Group B Streptococcal Disease in the United States. JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(14), 1649-1650. [More Information]
Nanan, R., Poulton, A. (2008). Routine Measurement of Head Circumference as a Tool for Detecting Intracranial Expansion in Infants. Pediatrics, 121(6), 1298. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2008). To the editor: efficacy of oral iron for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with low ferritin levels. Pediatric Neurology, 39(1), 74-74. [More Information]

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2007

Poulton, A., Melzer, E. (2007). Changes in body composition on stimulant medication in 13 children (12 boys) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 92(Supplement 1, G/TUES/END5), A14-A14.
Poulton, A. (2007). Effect of long-term treatment with stimulant medication on growth? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(3), 305 (Letters to the Editor)-305. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2007). Mistakes and misconduct in the research literature: retractions just the tip of the iceberg. Medical Journal of Australia, 186(6), 323-324. [More Information]

2006

Poulton, A. (2006). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stimulants, statistics, and methodology. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 16(4), 507-508. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2006). Growth and sexual maturation in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 18(4), 427-434. [More Information]
Poulton, A. (2006). Long-term outcomes of stimulant medication in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 6(4), 551-561. [More Information]

2005

Poulton, A. (2005). Growth on stimulant medication; clarifying the confusion: a review. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 90(8), 801-806. [More Information]

2003

Poulton, A., Halasz, G., Vance, A. (2003). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Divergent perspectives (multiple letters). Medical Journal of Australia, 178(5), 247-248.
Poulton, A., Cowell, C. (2003). Slowing of growth in height and weight on stimulants: A characteristic pattern. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 39(3), 180-185. [More Information]

Selected Grants

2019

Database study of the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD, stimulant medication, crime and mortality, Poulton A, Brain and Mind Centre/Brain and Mind Research Development Grant
Evaluating the effects of Stimulant Medication use in childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity discord (ADHD) on cardiovascular health in adults, Poulton A, Australian Women and Childrens Research Foundation (OZWAC)../Medical Research Project Grant

2009

Nicotine induced foetal growth restriction: is it related to changes in endocrine pancreatic function, Poulton A, Nepean Medical Research Foundation/Project Grant

2007

Investigation of the effect of a single dose of stimulant medication on appetite and on fasting and, Poulton A, University of Sydney/Internal Scheme

PhD and master's project opportunities

Please take of the existing projects and replace with the following:

Database study of the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stimulant medication, crime and mortality

ADHD siblings study:A study to investigate the mental health diagnoses occurring in families with 2 or more children with ADHD

Faculty of Medicine and Health

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Dr Alison Poulton

Publications

By Type

By Year

Selected Grants

2019

2009

2007

PhD and master's project opportunities

Related research articles

New research raises questions about the addictiveness of dexamphetamine

More evidence needed to inform ADHD medication guidelines

How ADHD affects pregnancy outcomes in women and their babies

Imaging study confirms differences in ADHD brains

ADHD: claims we’re diagnosing immature behaviour make it worse for those affected