OROS Methylphenidate (Concerta) in the Treatment of Adult ADHD

ADHD affects from 3 to 5% of children, persists into adolescence 40 to 70% of these children and continues into adulthood in at least 50% of affected adolescents. Pharmacotherapy for ADHD in adults has paralleled that used for children, with generally positive results (Spencer, 1998). Never-the-less, it is not clear that the dimensions of medication response in adults are the same as in children. The extent to which the symptoms change with age remains open to question. This trial is created to include a variety of outcome measures which will enhance the number of symptoms assessed.

Methylphenidate was the first medication shown to be effective in treatment for adults with ADHD and continues to be widely used. Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of methylphenidate in adult ADHD (Wender et al, 1985, Spencer et al, 1995). These studies have not shown any unexpected drawbacks to treatment with methylphenidate. The extended release formulations represent an improvement over the immediate release versions for many patients.

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial comparing OROS methylphenidate with placebo. The double-blind trial will be preceded by an enrollment period consisting of a screening visit followed by a baseline visit. Patients who continue to meet admission criteria at baseline will be randomized into the first of two 4-week treatment periods. We will attempt to reach the highest tolerated dose size within 2 weeks and then observe the response over the last two weeks of each crossover phase. The double-blind period will be followed by a 180 day open-treatment, flexible-dose phase designed to assess long-term effects.

Inclusion criteria

Adults meeting DSM-IV-Text Revision criteria for ADHD, the Utah Criteria for ADHD, and experiencing at least moderate impairment (a score of 4 or greater on the CGI-Severity Scale for ADHD at both Screening and Baseline visits) will be enrolled. Other criteria include:

• Subjects ages 18 to 65, inclusive;
• Female subjects are eligible to enter and participate in this study only if:

• She is of non-childbearing potential; has a male sexual partner who is surgically sterilized; is on implant of levonorgestrel, injectable progesterone, or an oral contraceptive; has an intrauterine device (IUD); or is sexually inactive with a male partner.
• Or agrees to use a double barrier method of contraception (any combination of physical and chemical methods) and has a negative urine pregnancy test at screening interview.
• Subject must be in general good health as determined by medical history, ECG, and other analysis that, in the judgment of the study physician, would confirm the patient's good health.
• Subjects must read and write at a level sufficient to provide written informed consent and complete study-related materials.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with other current DSM-IV Axis I Disorders including Current or lifetime history of psychosis, current bipolar disorder type I, current Major Depressive Disorder, and Current Anxiety Disorder (unless in the opinion of clinic physician ADHD is the primary disorder and causes the disability seen in the patient);
• Subjects with any other DSM-IV Axis II diagnosis so severe that it would suggest non-responsiveness to pharmacotherapy for ADHD or noncompliance with the protocol;
• Subjects at risk for suicide or a risk to harm others;
• History of Substance Dependence according to DSM-IV criteria within 3 months of screening;
• Subjects currently abusing illegal drugs or alcohol are excluded from the study;
• Positive urine screen for drugs of abuse at screening for patients who have a significant history of substance use but still meet criteria 4 and 5. Patients not at risk for substance abuse will not be given a urine drug screen;
• Subjects in whom stimulants would represent a risk such as those with a history of stimulant abuse,
• History of uncontrolled hypertension or significant cardiovascular disease;
• Any known or suspected significant medical or psychiatric illnesses (e.g., hepatic or renal insufficiency, pulmonary (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc), gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological or metabolic disturbances that, in the judgment of the investigator, may impair interpretation of study results or constitute a significant safety concern in the context of the clinical trial;
• Medications, including health food supplements judged by the investigator to be likely to have central nervous system activity (for example, St John's Wort, gingko leaf, and melatonin), are not permitted during the study. If the subject is taking the medication prior to study entry, there must be a 7 day washout period prior to Visit 2. We will ask for an honest report of all medications consumed between visits. In the event a medication with psychoactive properties is consumed, the patient will be counseled regarding the use of prohibited medications;
• Use of any medication not considered acceptable by the clinical investigator or the medical monitor during the 7-day period before the start of the study (Day 1);