Background
Because emotional symptoms are common in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients and associate with much morbidity, some consider it to be a core feature rather than an ...associated trait. Others argue that emotional symptoms are too nonspecific for use as diagnostic criteria. This debate has been difficult to resolve due, in part, to the many terms used to describe emotional symptoms in ADHD and to concerns about overlap with mood disorders.
Methods
We sought to clarify the nature of emotional symptoms in ADHD by reviewing conceptual and measurement issues and by examining the evidence base regarding specificity of such symptoms for ADHD. We reviewed the various terms used to define emotional symptoms in ADHD, clarify how these symptoms are demarcated from mood disorders, and assess the possibility that symptoms of emotional impulsivity and deficient emotional self‐regulation should be considered as core symptoms. We addressed psychiatric comorbidities, the effects of ADHD treatments on associated emotional dysregulation, and the utility of current rating scales to assess emotional symptoms associated with ADHD.
Results
Emotional symptoms are common and persistent in youth and adults with ADHD. Although emotional symptoms are common in other psychiatric disorders, emotional impulsivity (EI), and deficient emotional self‐regulation (DESR) may be sufficiently specific for ADHD to function as diagnostic criteria.
Conclusions
Emotional symptoms in ADHD cause clinically significant impairments. Although there is a solid theoretical rationale for considering EI and DESR to be core symptoms of ADHD, there is no consensus about how to define these constructs sin a manner that would be specific to the disorder. An instrument to measure EI and DESR which demarcates them from irritability and other emotional symptoms could improve the accuracy of diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Stimulants Childress, Ann C
Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America
31, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Stimulants have been available for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for more than 70 years and are the most effective medications available. During the past 2 decades, ...several new immediate-release (IR) and extended-release methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) formulations have become available. These products differ by dose form (capsules, tablets, oral suspensions, oral disintegrating tablets, and patch), by onset and duration of effect, and by bioavailability. The side effect profile is generally similar for all compounds. Although the products are similar, individual patients may have a better response or tolerability to a particular class (MPH or AMPH) or formulation.
Objective:
To evaluate the treatment effect size throughout the day of amphetamine extended-release oral suspension (AMPH EROS; Tris Pharma, Inc., Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA) in a laboratory ...classroom study conducted in children aged 6–12 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods:
A
post hoc
analysis was performed to assess the overall effect size as well as the effect size at each time point from early morning through evening (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 13 hours postdose) for each efficacy measure evaluated in a 5-week, randomized, dose-optimized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, laboratory classroom assessment, efficacy, and safety study of AMPH EROS (
N
= 99). Change from baseline of the primary (Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, Pelham SKAMP-C) and key secondary (secondary efficacy assessments included the SKAMP attention SKAMP-A, SKAMP-deportment subscale SKAMP-D, Permanent Product Measure of Performance-number of problems attempted PERMP-A, PERMP-number of problems correct PERMP-C) efficacy measures were analyzed using a linear mixed model repeated-measures analysis model. Comparisons among treatments were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. The effect size was estimated using Cohen's
d
, to determine “small,” (0.2), “medium,” (0.5), or “large” (0.8) magnitudes of treatment effects.
Results:
Large overall effect sizes were observed for all primary and key secondary efficacy assessments. Moreover, the SKAMP-C, PERMP-number of problems attempted, and PERMP-C scores showed large effect sizes at each time point evaluated across the day, from 1 to 13 hours postdose. The SKAMP-A and SKAMP-D scores showed a medium to large effect size at each time point.
Conclusions:
AMPH EROS demonstrated a large and consistent effect size across the day, including early in the morning, in the treatment of symptoms of ADHD in children aged 6–12 years. Trial Registration:
clinicaltrials.gov
identifier: NCT02083783
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and impairing mental disorder. Individuals with ADHD typically experience symptoms from awakening throughout the entire day, contributing ...to impaired function at home, at school, and in the workplace. Treatment is available to address the symptoms of ADHD; however, the extent to which treatments afford improved function remains less clear. Impaired function in children and adolescents, particularly in the early morning where multiple tasks must be completed, from getting out of bed, and having breakfast to leaving for school on time, is common even among stimulant-treated children, and can increase stress upon caregivers and family members. Herein, we present a narrative review on early morning functioning impairment in children and adolescents with ADHD, its impact on caregivers, the rating scales available for clinicians to identify the degree of early morning functioning impairment, and the efficacy of currently available treatments in providing functional improvements to patients with ADHD during the early morning, identifying that only treatments that are available upon awakening have been shown to statistically separate from placebo for early morning functioning improvement.
Objective
:
Serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate (SDX/d-MPH) is approved for the treatment of patients aged ≥6 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pivotal double-blind ...(DB) study of children aged 6–12 years with ADHD demonstrated efficacy for ADHD with good tolerability. In this study, we assessed the safety and tolerability of daily oral SDX/d-MPH for up to 1 year in children with ADHD.
Methods
:
This was a dose-optimized, open-label safety study with SDX/d-MPH in children aged 6–12 years with ADHD that included subjects who successfully completed the DB study (rollover) and new subjects. The study consisted of a 30-day screening phase, a dose optimization phase for new subjects only, a 360-day treatment phase, and follow-up. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed from the first day of SDX/d-MPH administration to the end of the study. During the treatment phase, ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5) and Clinical Global Impressions–Severity (CGI-S) scale assessments were used to evaluate ADHD severity.
Results
:
Of the 282 subjects enrolled (70 rollover; 212 new), 28 discontinued treatment in the dose optimization phase and 254 entered the treatment phase. By study completion, 127 had discontinued and 155 had completed the study. The treatment-phase safety population included all enrolled subjects who received ≥1 dose of study drug and had ≥1 postdose safety assessment. Of 238 subjects assessed in the treatment-phase safety population, 143 (60.1%) had ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and 36 (15.1%), 95 (39.9%), and 12 (5.0%) had mild, moderate, or severe TEAEs, respectively. The most common TEAEs were decreased appetite (18.5%), upper respiratory tract infection (9.7%), nasopharyngitis (8.0%), decreased weight (7.6%), and irritability (6.7%). There were no clinically meaningful trends in electrocardiograms, cardiac events, or blood pressure events, and none led to discontinuation. Two subjects had eight serious AEs that were unrelated to treatment. There were overall reductions in ADHD symptoms and severity as assessed by ADHD-RS-5 and CGI-S during the treatment phase.
Conclusions
:
In this 1-year study, SDX/d-MPH was found to be safe and well tolerated and comparable with other methylphenidate products, with no unexpected safety findings. SDX/d-MPH also showed sustained efficacy during the 1-year treatment period.
ClinicalTrials.gov
identifier: NCT03460652.
Since Ritalin (methylphenidate immediate-release or MPH IR) was first marketed in 1955, it has been a mainstay of treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The postulated ...mechanism of action, adverse events and efficacy of MPH are examined. MPH formulations that are currently on the market in the United States and those that will soon be available are considered. Various products are examined by comparing onset of effect and duration of action.
MPH has a well-known efficacy and safety profile. The development of extended-release (MPH-ER) was a significant advance in ADHD treatment. Recent products offer convenience in terms of dosing and timing of drug administration to improve symptom control, but efficacy is similar among all MPH-ER products. One formulation may be more appropriate for an individual patient, but no product offers significant advantages over all others. Since MPH is only effective in about 80% of patients, identifying factors that predict drug response is an active area of research. Although MPH is not effective for every patient, until there is a better understanding of the genetic contributions and nuances of functioning of central nervous system pathways, MPH will be a first choice for the treatment of ADHD.
Serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate (SDX/d-MPH) is approved for the treatment of patients aged ≥6 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 12-month, open-label safety study ...with SDX/d-MPH in children with ADHD showed that SDX/d-MPH was well tolerated and comparable with other methylphenidate products. In this
analysis of the 12-month study, the objective was to characterize the effect of SDX/d-MPH on growth in children with ADHD over 12 months.
This was a
analysis of a dose-optimized, open-label, phase 3 safety study of SDX/d-MPH in children aged 6-12 years with ADHD (NCT03460652). Weight and height
-score analyses were conducted.
-score change from baseline was calculated based on the baseline values for the subjects remaining in the study at the observation time point.
Subjects (
= 238) from the treatment-phase safety population included all enrolled subjects who received ≥1 dose of study drug and had ≥1 postdose safety assessment. During treatment, the mean weight and height
-scores decreased over time from their respective baselines. At the 12-month time point, mean (standard deviation SD)
-score changes from baseline for weight and height for the subjects remaining in the study were -0.20 (0.50) and -0.21 (0.39), respectively; however, these mean changes in Z-scores were not clinically significant (change <0.5 SD). Long-term treatment with SDX/d-MPH was associated with modest reductions in expected weight and lower-than-expected increases in height: effects that plateaued or diminished later in treatment.
The overall effects of SDX/d-MPH on growth velocity (the change in weight and height from one time point to the next) were minimal, and the range of changes was not considered clinically significant. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03460652.
Introduction: Long-acting stimulant formulations are recommended as first-line pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over the past 20 years, extended-release (ER) ...methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMP) formulations have evolved to include varying drug delivery technologies, enantiomers/salts, and dosage forms. All formulations are characterized by a unique pharmacokinetic profile that is closely mirrored by pharmacodynamic response allowing clinicians to individualize therapy based on their patient's clinical needs and dosing preferences.
Areas covered: This review provides an update on the pharmacokinetic properties of approved and investigational ER MPH and AMP formulations and highlights pharmacokinetic features that clinicians should consider when selecting a long-acting stimulant.
Expert opinion: Since there are no reliable biomarkers that can predict individualized response to long-acting stimulants, clinicians need to consider their distinctive pharmacokinetic properties, including the pharmacokinetic profile, rate and extent of absorption, variability, dose proportionality, bioequivalence, and potential for accumulation. Clinicians also need to understand that certain factors can contribute to increased variability in pharmacokinetics and potentially affect outcomes. Less invasive, high-throughput techniques and novel time-based scales are being developed to advance research on the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships of stimulants. Model-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic approaches can be applied to aid the development of novel formulations and individualize therapy with existing drugs.
To evaluate the acute efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) vs placebo (PBO) in preschool-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This ...phase 3, double-blind, fixed-dose study randomly assigned children (aged 4-5 years) with ADHD to 6 weeks of LDX (5, 10, 20, 30 mg) or PBO. The prespecified primary (change from baseline at week 6 in ADHD Rating Scale IV, Preschool version, total score ADHD-RS-IV-PS-TS) and key secondary (Clinical Global Impression–Improvement CGI-I score at week 6) efficacy endpoints were assessed using linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Safety and tolerability assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and changes in pulse and blood pressure (BP).
The study comprised 199 participants randomly asigned 5:5:5:5:6 to receive 5, 10, 20, 30 mg LDX or PBO, respectively. Least squares (LS) mean (95% CI) treatment difference at week 6 between pooled LDX (10, 20, 30 mg) and PBO was statistically significant for ADHD-RS-IV-PS-TS change (–5.9 –11.01, –0.78, p = .0242; effect size ES, –0.43). CGI-I scores improved (ie, 1-2 on CGI-I) in 41.7% for pooled LDX and 24.3% for PBO (p = .0857). The LS mean (95% CI) treatment difference between pooled LDX and PBO for CGI-I score at week 6 was –0.6 (–1.03, –0.16; p = .0074; ES, –0.52). Frequency of TEAEs was 46.6% across all 4 LDX doses vs 42.2% with PBO; the most frequent TEAEs were decreased appetite (13.7% vs 8.9%, respectively) and irritability (9.6% vs 0%). Discontinuations because of TEAEs were 5.5% for all LDX doses and 4.4% for PBO. Mean ± SD pulse/BP changes from baseline at week 6/early termination were numerically greater with LDX vs PBO (pulse beats/min: 2.7 ± 10.79 vs 1.2 ± 9.90; systolic BP, mm Hg: 1.0 ± 7.51 vs 0.3 ± 6.06; diastolic BP, mm Hg: 1.7 ± 5.90 vs 0.0 ± 6.88).
In children aged 4 to 5 years with ADHD, LDX was more efficacious than PBO in reducing symptoms. The observed ES for change in ADHD-RS-IV-PS-TS appears to be smaller in magnitude than has been reported for studies of LDX conducted in older children and adolescents. LDX was generally well tolerated, and no new safety signals were identified.
Safety and Efficacy Study in Preschool Children Aged 4–5 Years With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03260205.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder beginning in childhood and often continuing into adulthood. A wealth of data shows that ADHD symptoms respond well ...to pharmacological treatment. Stimulant medications, including amphetamine and methylphenidate, are most commonly used to treat ADHD. However, with the approval of atomoxetine (Strattera(®), ATX) by the US Food and Drug Administration in late 2002, an effective non-stimulant option became available. The US Food and Drug Administration approved ATX for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. Although the effect size of ATX is generally lower than that of stimulants, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Practice Parameter for the treatment of ADHD lists ATX as a first-line treatment option. ATX is widely prescribed and accounted for 6% of the prescriptions of ADHD visits in the US in 2010. Numerous trials have found that ATX improves quality of life and emotional lability in addition to core ADHD symptoms. Although some improvement may be seen in a patient as early as one week after the initiation of treatment, ATX generally takes longer to have a full effect. The median time to response using 25% improvement in ADHD symptoms in pooled trials was 3.7 weeks. Data from these trials indicate that the probability of symptom improvement may continue to increase up to 52 weeks after treatment is initiated. ATX has been shown to be safe and effective in combination with stimulants. It has also been studied systematically in subjects with ADHD and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. The mechanism of action of ATX, its efficacy, and adverse events reported in trials is reviewed.