Vascular Effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medications in Youth

Completed

Conditions studied: ADHD

In brief

4.4 million children and adolescents in the United States have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more than half are treated with medication. Most ADHD medications are stimulants, which activate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). SNS activation is closely associated with vascular functional and mechanical abnormalities. Therefore, ADHD medications, via instigating SNS activation and altering the hemodynamic profile, may have untoward effects on the vasculature and increase risk of developing cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents who use them. Our overall objective in this study is to determine whether ADHD medication use is associated SNS activation, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness in children and adolescents. We will address this objective by conducting a case-control study and obtain non-invasive measures of SNS activation, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness in children and adolescents (8-17 years old) with (using stimulant medication) and without ADHD.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01107301

Run by

University of Minnesota

People needed

138

Starts

2010-01-01

Expected to finish

2013-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2014-09-05

Who can join

Age: 6 and older, up to 18. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 6-18 years old
• Current use of ADHD stimulant drug therapy limited to methylphenidates or amphetamines
• Sibling without ADHD between the ages of 6-18 years old

You may not qualify if…

• Known (diagnosed) cardiac disease

Where it is running

• University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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