Treatment of Severe Childhood Aggression (The TOSCA Study) - Full Text View

Sponsored by:	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information provided by:	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00796302

Purpose

This study will determine the safety and effectiveness of two medications for treating aggression in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity	Drug: Methylphenidate HCl Drug: Risperidone Behavioral: Parent Management Training (PMT) Drug: Placebo	Phase II

MedlinePlus related topics: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Drug Information available for: Risperidone Methylphenidate hydrochloride Methylphenidate

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study
Official Title:	Stimulant and Risperidone in Children With Severe Physical Aggression

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Primary Outcome Measures:

Parent ratings of aggression and hostility on the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form-Typical IQ (NCBRF-TIQ) D-Total Score [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

The NCBRF-TIQ Version Subscales [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Improvement [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Standard Observation Analogue Procedures [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 9 and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Antisocial Behavior Scale [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 9 and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Adverse Events Log [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
Cognitive Battery [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline and Weeks 3, 9, 21, and 52 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment:	160
Study Start Date:	August 2008
Estimated Study Completion Date:	June 2012
Estimated Primary Completion Date:	June 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Arms	Assigned Interventions
1: Experimental Children will receive active methylphenidate HCl and active risperidone. Parents will receive parent management training.	Drug: Methylphenidate HCl For children weighing less than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 7 days, 36 mg for the next 4 days, and, if needed, 54 mg for the next 4 days. For children weighing more than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 4 days, 36 mg for the next 3 days, 54 mg for the next 4 days, and 72 mg for the next 3 days. Once the child's optimal dose is established, he or she will continue on that dose for the rest of the 21-week trial. One pill is taken once daily. Drug: Risperidone For children weighing less than 45 kg, the dose will start at 0.5 mg at night. After 4 days, the child's dose may be increased to 1 mg a day. On Day 8, the child's dose may be increased to 1.5 mg a day. On Day 16, the child's dose may be increased to 2.0 mg a day. On Day 22, the child's dose may be increased to 2.5 mg a day. For children weighing more than 45 kg, the dose will start at 0.5 mg at night. After 4 days, the child's dose may be increased to 1.0 mg a day. On Day 8, the child's dose may be increased to 1.5 mg a day. On Day 12, the child's dose may be increased to 2.0 mg a day. On Day 15, the child's dose may be increased to 2.5 mg a day. On Day 18, the child's dose may be increased to 3 mg a day. On Day 23, the child's dose may be increased to 3.5 mg a day. Behavioral: Parent Management Training (PMT) PMT will include individual parent sessions held weekly for 9 weeks, with two booster sessions to be completed during the 3-month extension. Sessions will include development of problem-solving skills and behavior management strategies, practice activities, and role-playing with the behavioral therapist.
2: Active Comparator Children will receive methylphenidate HCl and placebo instead of the active risperidone. Parents will receive parent management training.	Drug: Methylphenidate HCl For children weighing less than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 7 days, 36 mg for the next 4 days, and, if needed, 54 mg for the next 4 days. For children weighing more than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 4 days, 36 mg for the next 3 days, 54 mg for the next 4 days, and 72 mg for the next 3 days. Once the child's optimal dose is established, he or she will continue on that dose for the rest of the 21-week trial. One pill is taken once daily. Behavioral: Parent Management Training (PMT) PMT will include individual parent sessions held weekly for 9 weeks, with two booster sessions to be completed during the 3-month extension. Sessions will include development of problem-solving skills and behavior management strategies, practice activities, and role-playing with the behavioral therapist. Drug: Placebo One pill will be taken once daily for the first 4 days and then twice daily until Week 21.

Arms

Assigned Interventions

1: Experimental

Children will receive active methylphenidate HCl and active risperidone. Parents will receive parent management training.

Drug: Methylphenidate HCl

For children weighing less than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 7 days, 36 mg for the next 4 days, and, if needed, 54 mg for the next 4 days. For children weighing more than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 4 days, 36 mg for the next 3 days, 54 mg for the next 4 days, and 72 mg for the next 3 days.

Once the child's optimal dose is established, he or she will continue on that dose for the rest of the 21-week trial.

One pill is taken once daily.

Drug: Risperidone

For children weighing less than 45 kg, the dose will start at 0.5 mg at night. After 4 days, the child's dose may be increased to 1 mg a day. On Day 8, the child's dose may be increased to 1.5 mg a day. On Day 16, the child's dose may be increased to 2.0 mg a day. On Day 22, the child's dose may be increased to 2.5 mg a day.

For children weighing more than 45 kg, the dose will start at 0.5 mg at night. After 4 days, the child's dose may be increased to 1.0 mg a day. On Day 8, the child's dose may be increased to 1.5 mg a day. On Day 12, the child's dose may be increased to 2.0 mg a day. On Day 15, the child's dose may be increased to 2.5 mg a day. On Day 18, the child's dose may be increased to 3 mg a day. On Day 23, the child's dose may be increased to 3.5 mg a day.

Behavioral: Parent Management Training (PMT)

PMT will include individual parent sessions held weekly for 9 weeks, with two booster sessions to be completed during the 3-month extension. Sessions will include development of problem-solving skills and behavior management strategies, practice activities, and role-playing with the behavioral therapist.

2: Active Comparator

Children will receive methylphenidate HCl and placebo instead of the active risperidone. Parents will receive parent management training.

Drug: Methylphenidate HCl

For children weighing less than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 7 days, 36 mg for the next 4 days, and, if needed, 54 mg for the next 4 days. For children weighing more than 25 kg, the dose will be titrated at 18 mg for the first 4 days, 36 mg for the next 3 days, 54 mg for the next 4 days, and 72 mg for the next 3 days.

Once the child's optimal dose is established, he or she will continue on that dose for the rest of the 21-week trial.

One pill is taken once daily.

Behavioral: Parent Management Training (PMT)

PMT will include individual parent sessions held weekly for 9 weeks, with two booster sessions to be completed during the 3-month extension. Sessions will include development of problem-solving skills and behavior management strategies, practice activities, and role-playing with the behavioral therapist.

Drug: Placebo

One pill will be taken once daily for the first 4 days and then twice daily until Week 21.

Detailed Description:

ADHD is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Children with ADHD sometimes also have disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs), such as conduct disorder (CD), which is estimated to develop in 20% to 40% of children with ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), which is estimated to develop in 33% to 50% of children with ADHD. These two disorders place youth at risk of other psychiatric disorders, especially substance abuse disorders. Several medications have been tested to treat conduct disorders in aggressive children, and, among these, risperidone and methylphenidate hydrochloride (HCl) have relatively good records of safety and tolerability. Psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate HCl, can reduce the symptoms in some, but not all, children with DBDs. Combining methylphenidate HCl with risperidone may be one way to increase the effectiveness of drug treatments. This study will compare the effectiveness of methylphenidate HCl alone versus methylphenidate HCl combined with risperidone for treating aggressive behavior in children with ADHD. Participation in this study will last 1 year. The child participant and a parent will attend all study visits. Two initial visits will involve a battery of baseline tests, including a psychological clinical interview, physical examination, lab tests, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). The parents will undergo a parent education session and complete questionnaires about their child's behavior, emotions, and medication side effects. The child will have his or her vital signs measured and complete tests of verbal memory and attention and impulsiveness. After the second visit, the child participant will be randomly assigned to receive either methylphenidate HCl alone or methylphenidate HCl plus risperidone.

For the next 3 weeks, all child participants will take methylphenidate HCl at a dose that will start low and gradually be increased until the most effective dose is determined. For the next 6 weeks, child participants will add either risperidone or a placebo to their regimen of methylphenidate HCl. This second medication will also be started at a low dose and raised to appropriate levels of tolerability. During the 9 weeks of medication adjustment, participants will attend weekly study visits to complete questionnaires and have their vital signs measured. Parents will attend education sessions at each of these visits. The child's teacher will also fill out weekly questionnaires on the child's behavior. Every 3 weeks, child participants will be tested on verbal memory, attention, and impulsiveness. After the 9-week period, child participants will again undergo a physical exam, lab tests, and an ECG.

At this point, if the child's behavior has improved, the child will continue the same treatment for the next 3 months. Monthly study visits will include parent education sessions and recording of parent and teacher evaluations of the child. All participants will attend a 1-year follow-up visit that will include previous assessments.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	6 Years to 12 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD, any subtype
DSM-IV diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder, including CD or ODD
Evidence of serious physical aggression, as rated on the Overt Aggression Scale-Modified, and as determined by parent or guardian ratings on the NCBRF D-Total Score. In addition, the blinded clinician must assign a clinical global impressions severity score of 4 or greater for aggression.
Prior to random assignment, participants must be free of all psychotropic medicines for 2 weeks for most drugs (such as most antidepressants, alpha agonists, beta blockers, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, and antihistamines), and 4 weeks for depot antipsychotics and fluoxetine.

Exclusion Criteria:

Full-scale IQ below 71
Pregnancy or a history of seizure disorder or other neurological or medical disorders for which medication may present a considerable risk
Abnormal liver function
Pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, or eating disorders
Currently taking other psychotropic medications from which discontinuation would present a significant risk. Participants may not discontinue a satisfactory medication to participate.
Presence or history of major depressive disorder
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder
A hypomanic/biphasic score of 36 or greater as rated by child's parent on the General Behavior Inventory and confirmed by clinician as indication of mood disorder
Active substance abuse disorder or lack of control of substance use that does not allow for safe medication administration
Evidence of current child abuse or neglect
History of suicide attempt in the past year or current suicidal ideation with plan and/or intent
Family history of type II diabetes in two or more first degree relatives, defined as biological parents and/or full biological siblings

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00796302

Locations

United States, New York
State University of New York Stony Brook	Recruiting
Stony Brook, New York, United States, 11794
Contact: Jayne Schneider, PhD 631-632-3091 jaschnei@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Principal Investigator: Kenneth D. Gadow, PhD
United States, Ohio
Ohio State University Nisonger Center	Recruiting
Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210
Contact: Krystina Wilson, BA 614-292-7022 Krystina.Wilson@osumc.edu
Contact: Sarah Hersch, BABS 614-688-3375 Sarah.Hersch@osumc.edu
Principal Investigator: Michael G. Aman, PhD
Sub-Investigator: L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd
Sub-Investigator: Yaser Ramadan, MD
Case Western Reserve University	Recruiting
Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106
Contact: Nicole Kovach 216-844-3922 Nicole.Kovach@UHhospitals.org
Contact: Eric King, MA 216-844-6252 Eric.King@UHhospitals.org
Principal Investigator: Robert L. Findling, MD
United States, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh	Recruiting
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Contact: Jennifer Baker 412-246-5651 bakerjl@upmc.edu
Contact: Heidi Kipp, MA 412-246-5661 kipphl@upmc.edu
Principal Investigator: Oscar G. Bukstein, MD, MPH

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Michael G. Aman, PhD	Ohio State University
Principal Investigator:	Oscar G. Bukstein, MD, MPH	University of Pittsburgh
Principal Investigator:	Kenneth D. Gadow, PhD	State University of New York Stony Brook
Principal Investigator:	Robert L. Findling, MD	Case Western Reserve University

More Information

Responsible Party:	Ohio State University ( Michael Aman, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry )
Study ID Numbers:	R01 MH077907, DSIR 84-CTS, 1R01MH077907-01A2, 1R01MH077676-01A2, 1R01MH077750-01A2, 1R01MH077997-01A2
Study First Received:	November 21, 2008
Last Updated:	December 4, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00796302
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Conduct Disorder
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Conduct Disorder
Risperidone
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Methylphenidate
Dyskinesias
Serotonin
Behavioral Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms

Dopamine
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Mental Disorders
Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood
Hyperkinesis
Neurologic Manifestations
Aggression

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Neurotransmitter Agents
Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors
Tranquilizing Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Nervous System Diseases
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Psychotropic Drugs
Central Nervous System Depressants

Dopamine Antagonists
Central Nervous System Stimulants
Antipsychotic Agents
Pharmacologic Actions
Serotonin Antagonists
Serotonin Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Dopamine Agents
Central Nervous System Agents

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 30, 2009