The era of criterion-based diagnosis has been with us for over 25 years. Although there have been minor modifications during this period, the broad typology has changed little. There have been a great many studies that have followed up both general population cohorts and clinic samples who have now reached a level of maturity that allows us to examine these questions.

Sponsored by the Work Group on Research, and under the leadership of Drs. David Shaffer, Helen Egger, and James McGough, the 2008 Research Forum serves as a longitudinal research review course, summarizing recent follow up studies of the common psychiatric disorders of children and adolescents. While the content and level of presentation are specifically targeted at researchers, all are invited to register for this Research Forum.  Attendees will receive up to 6.75 CME credit hours.

The 2008 Research Forum provides attendees with information on the course of the common psychiatric disorders of childhood and the extent to which variation of outcome within a single diagnosis reflects subtype, comorbidity or other elements identifiable at the time of diagnosis. This year’s Research Forum considers whether variation in natural history is adequately reflected in the current classification of the disorders and where this is possible to determine the mechanisms that might underlie variable outcome.

The 2008 Research Forum consists of a series of general session presentations by leading investigators who have either collected longitudinal information themselves or who are familiar with the field. Full audience discussion follows each presentation.

Listed below are the presenters and their topics:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression: One Disorder or Three?
Jane Costello, Ph.D.

Longitudinal Research in Early Onset Bipolar Disorder and Related Conditions 
Gabrielle A. Carlson, M.D.

Longitudinal Studies of Depression: What Have We Learned That We Couldn’t Have Learned From Cross-Sectional Studies?
Adrian Angold, M.R.C.Psych.

Longitudinal Trajectories in Pediatric Anxiety Disorders
Daniel S. Pine, M.D.

Natural History of Teen Suicide Ideation and Attempts and Non Suicidal Self Injury
David Shaffer, F.R.C.P

What Does Brain Imaging of ADHD Suggest for DSM V?
Judy Rapoport, M.D

New Findings of Serious Longitudinal Outcomes of Childhood ADHD
Benjamin B. Lahey, Ph.D.

The Influence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder on Psychopathology in Childhood and Adulthood: Evidence from Longitudinal Studies   
Jeffrey D. Burke, Ph.D.

Sponsored by the AACAP Work Group on Research