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Genetic Measurements in Blood Cells of Children Taking Adderall or Methylphenidate
This study has been completed.
First Received: June 19, 2006   Last Updated: October 16, 2008   History of Changes
Sponsored by: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00341029
  Purpose

This study, conducted at Duke University in Durham, NC, will determine whether the drugs Adderall and methylphenidate affect the genetic material of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One small study has shown that taking methylphenidate for ADHD may result in higher levels of certain types of changes to the genetic material contained in white blood cells. The changes seen are not directly linked to increased risk of disease, but indicate a possibility that other kinds of damage that may be linked to increased disease may result from taking methylphenidate. The study will also examine whether these types of changes might occur in children treated with Adderall .

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 with symptoms of ADHD may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, psychiatric examination, IQ test, physical examination, and electrocardiogram. Parents and teachers complete questionnaires to rate the severity of the child's ADHD.

Qualified children who are diagnosed with ADHD and who are appropriate candidates for treatment with either Adderall or methylphenidate-based drugs (e.g., Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Ritalin or Ritalin LA) may be selected for this study.

At a baseline visit (Visit 0), parents complete questionnaires that rate the severity of their child's ADHD. The children have their vital signs checked (pulse, blood pressure, breathing rate, height, weight and temperature) and have a blood sample drawn. The children are then randomly assigned to treatment with either Adderall or a methylphenidate product. After the baseline visit, participants undergo the following tests and procedures:

Dose Optimization Visits (visits 1-4)

In the first 4 weeks of the study, the dose of methylphenidate or Adderall is adjusted weekly until doctors determine the dose strength that works best for the individual child. In addition, the following procedures are done at each visit:

  • Child's vital signs are checked.
  • Parents complete a questionnaire about the severity of the child's ADHD.
  • Parent and child describe the impact of symptoms on the child's functioning.
  • Parents complete forms about common side effects of the study drug.

Follow-up Visits (visits 5-6)

Children return to the clinic once a month to assess their health and further adjust their medication dose, if needed. The visits are similar to those during the dose optimization period, with the following additional procedures at visit 6:

  • A blood sample is obtained to measure whether the medication has affected the child's genetic material.
  • A physical examination is done to check child's health.
  • Information is provided parents to assist in planning for child's treatment after the study.

Condition
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD

MedlinePlus related topics: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Drug Information available for: Methylphenidate Methylphenidate hydrochloride
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Measurement of Cytogenetic Endpoints in Lymphocytes of Children Diagnosed With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Treated With Methylphenidate or Adderall

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 84
Study Start Date: December 2005
Detailed Description:

Design: Longitudinal observational study of pediatric ADHD patients, any subtype. This study is part of a large comprehensive investigation initiated and funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to aid in the understanding of a reported association of methylphenidate treatment and elevated frequencies of some types of chromosome damage.

Population: 60 diagnosed ADHD children, age range 6-12 years inclusive, for whom pharmacological treatment with stimulant medication is indicated. 30 children will initiate treatment with a methylphenidate-based product and 30 will initiate treatment with Adderall or Adderall-XR. Study group assignment will be randomized, as these two drugs are considered by the clinical community to be fully interchangeable.

Primary Objective: To determine the frequency of micronuclei (markers of numerical or structural chromosomal damage), sister chromatid exchanges (indicators of DNA damage), and chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of pediatric ADHD patients prior to and after 3 months of uninterrupted drug therapy. These endpoints, and the time frame, are compatible with investigating effects during the initiation phase of treatment; additional studies by other NIH institutes (NIMH, CDC) will investigate effects after chronic treatment with stimulant medications so that a comprehensive picture of the potential for treatment-induced chromosomal damage in ADHD subjects is obtained.

Secondary Objective: In pediatric ADHD patients treated with a methylphenidate-based product or Adderall, to determine if flow cytometric measurement of the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes can serve as a biomarker of cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes evaluated by standard light microscope techniques.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   6 Years to 12 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Children of either sex, and of any ethnicity and economic status, age 6-12 years inclusive, who are diagnosed with ADHD, who are drug na ve, and who are determined by the study psychiatrist to be appropriate candidates for pharmacological therapy with either Adderall or methylphenidate-based drugs.

Child must be in good health as determined by medical history, physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Children less than 6 years of age.

Children more than 12 years of age.

Children not determined to meet the comprehensive criteria for diagnosis of ADHD.

Children with co-morbid psychological conditions that would containdicate treatment with stimulant drugs.

Children who have previously undergone drug treatment for ADHD.

Children who have received diagnostic x-rays (not dental x-rays) within the past 3 months.

Female children who have had their first menstrual period.

Subjects who are not competent to provide consents.

Children determined by the study physician to be poor candidates for pharmacological therapy with Adderall or methylphenidate-based drugs.

Children with clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG).

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00341029

Locations
United States, North Carolina
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

Publications:
Additional publications automatically indexed to this study by National Clinical Trials Identifier (NCT ID):
Study ID Numbers: 999906045, 06-E-N045
Study First Received: June 19, 2006
Last Updated: October 16, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00341029     History of Changes
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Longitudinal Study
Chromosomal Effects
Sister Chromatid Exchanges
Micronuclei
Stimulants
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Neurotransmitter Agents
Adderall
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Methylphenidate
Central Nervous System Stimulants
Dyskinesias
Signs and Symptoms
Dopamine
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Mental Disorders
Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood
Hyperkinesis
Neurologic Manifestations
Dopamine Agents

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors
Neurotransmitter Agents
Disease
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Nervous System Diseases
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Methylphenidate
Central Nervous System Stimulants
Dyskinesias
Pharmacologic Actions
Signs and Symptoms
Pathologic Processes
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Mental Disorders
Therapeutic Uses
Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood
Hyperkinesis
Neurologic Manifestations
Dopamine Agents
Central Nervous System Agents

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 07, 2009