Attention Deficit Disorder Medication Response Study

Robust data indicate that stimulant medications reduce ADHD symptoms and impairment, but it is unclear whether their efficacy generalizes across the ADHD subtypes. Although predominately inattentive type (PIT) is the most prevalent ADHD subtype in U.S. population-based studies, few studies have specifically examined response to stimulants in this subtype. Instead, medication guidelines for PIT have largely been extrapolated from studies enrolling all or mostly ADHD-combined type (CT). Thus, this application seeks to improve understanding of stimulant medication response and its predictors in children with PIT. We will evaluate participants' response to methylphenidate (MPH), the most widely prescribed stimulant, via a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 3 dose conditions. Our first specific aim is to examine MPH medication and dose response in children with PIT (n=120) and CT (n=45) to test the hypotheses that participants with PIT have a diminished MPH response and derive less benefit from higher doses compared to those with CT. Since only one prior study has examined genetic predictors of MPH response variability within PIT-only samples, our second specific aim (exploratory) is to determine the potential role of genetic polymorphisms (e.g., those in DAT1, DRD4, NET, ADRA2A, COMT, SNAP25, CES1, GRM7, LPHN3) on MPH response in children with PIT (n=120), examining both symptom change with MPH and MPH dose response curves. If we identify significant differences in MPH response between the subtypes, our findings may guide clinical practice by suggesting more effective medication strategies (such as different dosing schedules) for children with PIT. In addition, this study may yield pharmacogenetic findings that, in the future, could enable physicians to tailor individual treatment plans for children with PIT, ameliorating the current prolonged and expensive practice of prescribing by trial and error.

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 medication for psychological or psychiatric problems.
• Behavioral Interventions: Current active participation in ADHD-related behavioral interventions or counseling.
• Exclusionary Psychiatric Conditions: Children with mania/hypomania and/or schizophrenia will be excluded. The following comorbid diagnoses will not be excluded unless they are determined to be the primary cause of ADHD symptomatology (see below for description of this decision process): Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Major Depression / Dysthymia, Eating Disorders, Elimination Disorders, Trichotillomania, Tic Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder.
• Organic Brain Injury: History of head trauma, neurological disorder, or other organic disorder affecting brain function.
• Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Children with a personal history or family history of cardiovascular risk factors will be excluded, or given the option of participating in the study after obtaining an EKG and a signed letter from a pediatric cardiologist verifying the safety of their participation in a trial of methylphenidate. In this case, families will be responsible for the costs of EKG and cardiologist evaluation. If for any reason a family is unable to assume the cost of the EKG and cardiologist evaluations but still wishes for their child to participate, study staff will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the study budget allows the study to offer financial assistance to the families for these evaluations.