CompletedPhase 2/3

Adderall XR and Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Canada70 participantsStarted 2012-09

Plain-language summary

Cognitive impairment, or problems with thinking and memory, is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can occur independently of physical disability. It is the most common reason, along with physical fatigue, for MS patients to stop working. The most frequent complaint is problems with multi-tasking or thinking quickly, which corresponds to impairment in the cognitive domain of processing speed. Currently there is treatment available to prevent relapses and physical disability but there are no medications that have been shown to treat cognitive impairment. Amphetamines have been beneficial for selective attention and processing speed in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and traumatic brain injury. This is study will determine whether Adderall XR improves objective measures of processing speed and attention in MS patients impaired in this cognitive domain, by comparing two doses of Adderall XR (5 and 10mg) to placebo before and after the medication is administered. The results of this study will help provide data to design a larger study to determine if Adderall XR, and potentially other amphetamine drugs, will help treat cognitive impairment in MS patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 59 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Exclusion criteria

. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
. Sympathomimetics or methadone
. Antipsychotic agents
. Modafinil
. Short acting benzodiazepines, qhs administration only
. Anticonvulsants, including gabapentin and pregabalin
. Bupropion
. Tricyclic Antidepressants

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in score of Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)

Timeframe: pre and 7 hours post dose

Change in Score of Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

Timeframe: pre and 7 hours post dose

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01667484

SponsorLondon Health Sciences Centre

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2013-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Impaired Processing Speed trials