Attention Deficit Disorder Medication Response Study
United States171 participantsStarted 2006-06
Plain-language summary
This study evaluates how children with Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity (ADD) respond to medication, and if their response is different from children who have problems with both hyperactivity and inattention. In order to do this, children ages 7-11 whose primary difficulty is with attention problems and who have never been on behavioral or psychiatric medications are being recruited. Once enrolled, children will try one week each of 3 different doses of methylphenidate, the most commonly prescribed Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication, as well as placebo. Children will be randomly assigned to one of six possible medication dose and placebo titration schedules, but the study doctor, family, and teacher will not know which dose (if any) children are receiving for a given week. Each week, behavioral and side effect ratings will be completed by both the child's parent and teacher, and the family will meet with the study doctor for a physical examination and to discuss how each week went. Some children will also have neuropsychological testing to determine how methylphenidate influences their working memory, sustained attention, and ability to inhibit (stop) inappropriate responses.
All data will be analyzed to decide which medication dose the child responded to best and further recommendations for treatment will be given. Ultimately, this study aims to improve understanding of how children with ADHD-Primarily Inattentive Type respond to stimulant medications by
* determining whether these children experience a diminished response to methylphenidate compared to children with both hyperactivity and inattention
* determining whether certain genetic and environmental factors play a role in this response.
Findings from this study will be used to help streamline the identification of the most effective doses of medication for children with ADHD-Primarily Inattentive Type.
Who can participate
Age range
7 Years – 11 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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Consent: The family must provide signature of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian. Children must also assent to study participation.
* Age at Screening:7.0 years to 11.9 years, inclusive.
* Sex: Includes male and female children.
* ADHD Diagnostic Status: Meets DSM-IV criteria for ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive or Combined subtype with Clinical Global Impression-Severity rating corresponding to at least "moderately ill."
* Cognitive Functioning-Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of greater than 80 as estimated by Vocabulary and Block Design subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--4th Edition, or an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of 80 or greater when administered the Full Scale Version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-4th Edition.
* Absence of Learning Disability:On the abbreviated Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-2nd edition Reading and Math subtests, participants must score above 80. However, children may also be included if they receive a score of 75 or greater on the Word Reading and/or Math subtests, as long as this score is not a significant discrepancy from their full-scale IQ score (e.g., a difference of greater than one standard deviation or 15 points).
* School: Enrolled in a school setting rather than a home-school program.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Understanding Level: Participant and/or parent cannot understand or follow study instructions.
* Psychiatric Medications: Current or prior history of taking any …
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
1
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Total Symptom Score
Timeframe: End of placebo dose week, End of low dose week, End of medium dose week , End of high dose week
Trial details
NCT IDNCT01727414
SponsorChildren's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati