Genetic Measurements in Blood Cells of Children Taking Adderall or Methylphenidate

Completed

Conditions studied: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD

In brief

This study, conducted at Duke University in Durham, NC, will determine whether the drugs Adderall and methylphenidate affect the genetic material of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One small study has shown that taking methylphenidate for ADHD may result in higher levels of certain types of changes to the genetic material contained in white blood cells. The changes seen are not directly linked to increased risk of disease, but indicate a possibility that other kinds of damage that may be linked to increased disease may result from taking methylphenidate. The study will also examine whether these types of changes might occur in children treated with Adderall . Children between the ages of 6 and 12 with symptoms of ADHD may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, psychiatric examination, IQ test, physical examination, and electrocardiogram. Parents and teachers complete questionnaires to rate the severity of the child's ADHD. Qualified children who are diagnosed with ADHD and who are appropriate candidates for treatment with either Adderall or methylphenidate-based drugs (e.g., Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Ritalin or Ritalin LA) may be selected for this study. At a baseline visit (Visit 0), parents complete questionnaires that rate the severity of their child's ADHD. The children have their vital signs checked (pulse, blood pressure, breathing rate, height, weight and temperature) and have a blood sample drawn. The children are then randomly assigned to treatment with either Adderall or a methylphenidate product. After the baseline visit, participants undergo the following tests and procedures: Dose Optimization Visits (visits 1-4) In the first 4 weeks of the study, the dose of methylphenidate or Adderall is adjusted weekly until doctors determine the dose strength that works best for the individual child. In addition, the following procedures are done at each visit: * Child's vital signs are checked. * Parents complete a questionnaire about the severity of the child's ADHD. * Parent and child describe the impact of symptoms on the child's functioning. * Parents complete forms about common side effects of the study drug. Follow-up Visits (visits 5-6) Children return to the clinic once a month to assess their health and further adjust their medication dose, if needed. The visits are similar to those during the dose optimization period, with the following additional procedures at visit 6: * A blood sample is obtained to measure whether the medication has affected the child's genetic material. * A physical examination is done to check child's health. * Information is provided parents to assist in planning for child's treatment after the study.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT00341029
Run by: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
People needed: 84
Starts: 2005-12-07
Expected to finish: 2007-09-30
Last updated by the study team: 2017-07-02

Who can join

Age: 6 and older, up to 12. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

Children less than 6 years of age.
Children more than 12 years of age.
Children not determined to meet the comprehensive criteria for diagnosis of ADHD.
Children with co-morbid psychological conditions that would containdicate treatment with stimulant drugs.
Children who have previously undergone drug treatment for ADHD.
Children who have received diagnostic x-rays (not dental x-rays) within the past 3 months.
Female children who have had their first menstrual period.
Subjects who are not competent to provide consents.
Children determined by the study physician to be poor candidates for pharmacological therapy with Adderall or methylphenidate-based drugs.
Children with clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG).

Where it is running

Duke University — Durham, North Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.