Drug therapy of bruxism as modulation of stress answers

When not produced by occlusal factors, bruxism is a nonspecific symptom of stress. Following experiences in drug treatment of bruxism by modulation of stress responses in children with Down's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, and mental retardation, possible neuropathological mechanisms linking stress and involuntary masseter muscle activation are discussed. The neurochemical mechanisms and choice of drug therapy for the modulation of stress responses are explained, and the rationale for drug therapy for bruxism. Since drug modulation of stress responses mainly acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and related brain mechaninisms, basic interventions act to either increase type A GABAergic inhibition, decrease type B GABAergic inhibition, or increase glutamate decarboxylase action. In adults, pyridoxine, carbamazepine, and a benzodiazepine are the best medications for bruxism. In children with Down's syndrome, glutamine, pyridoxine, and a benzodiazepine showed good results, but in some cases carbamazepine had to be added.

Internal stress and bruxism: An investigation on children and young adults with or without Down's syndrome, with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders

Examined the prevalence of bruxism as a reaction to internal stress in 2 groups of children with autism or other pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) with or without Down's syndrome. The authors hypothesized that there would be more bruxism in the Down's syndrome Ss since they have more internal stress due to 2 illnesses. Group 1 was comprised of 33 1-13 yr olds with autism or other PDD along with Down's syndrome, with the majority having the chromosomal diagnosis of standard trisomy 21. The 57 2-29 yr old Ss in group 2 had autism or other PDD without Down's syndrome. As the hypothesis suggested, Ss with Down's syndrome who own 2 factors of internal stress due to both trisomy 21 and the autism or PDD presented more bruxism than Ss without Down's syndrome.

Bruxism and other stress symptoms in children or young adults with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders with or without Down's syndrome

Examined the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections, spastic constipation and/or diarrhea, and bruxism in 2 groups of Ss with autism or other pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) with or without Down's syndrome. The authors hypothesized that the Ss with Down's syndrome would have a higher prevalence of the symptoms as a function of stress induced by the 2 illnesses. Group 1 was comprised of 33 1-13 yr olds with autism or other PDD along with Down's syndrome, with the majority having the chromosomal diagnosis of standard trisomy 21. In group 2 there were 57 2-29 yr olds with autism or other PDD. As suggested, Ss with Down's syndrome who own 2 factors of internal stress due to the chromosomal anomaly and autism or other PDD presented more of the symptoms than Ss without Down's syndrome.