«Furthermore, given the continued use of psychotropic medications in very
young children and concerns
regarding their effects on the developing
brain, future studies on the long - term effects of psychotropic medication use in this age group are essential.»
For example functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), children with a history of preschool - onset depression demonstrated distinct patterns of
brain activation, which were similar to those of adults with depression.34 Other research documents that DSM - IV criteria for depression do not adequately capture the disorder's course in preschool - aged children.35 Similar to the heightened awareness
regarding preschool depression, evidence suggests that
young children can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder when age - adjusted diagnostic criteria are employed.36