Attention Deficit Disorder With HyperactivityNCT00025779
Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With Pervasive Developmental Disorders
A study testing methylphenidate and guanfacine in people with Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity and Autistic Disorder, run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at 5 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate for treating hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility in 60 children and adolescents with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 5 to 14 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorders
- What is being tested?
- methylphenidate and guanfacine
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- Oct 2001to Nov 2003
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 5 to 14 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
- Diagnosis of PDD (including Asperger's Disorder and Autistic Disorder)
- Clinically significant symptoms of ADHD
- Mental age of at least 18 months
- Blood pressure within normal ranges for age and gender
- Weight 16 kg or more
- Absence of chronic tic disorder
- Absence of any medical condition that would be incompatible with the study treatments
- Absence of evidence of hypersensitivity to study treatments
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country.
5 sites in 1 country
United States5 sites
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, 43210
Indiana University-Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
Los Angeles, California, 90024
Yale Child Study Center
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520
About this study
Official title: Methylphenidate for Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness in Children and Adolescents With Pervasive Developmental Disorders
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate for treating hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility in 60 children and adolescents with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Methylphenidate (Ritalin)is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Data supporting its safety and effectiveness in treating ADHD symptoms in PDD are limited. Children and adolescents who do not show a positive response to methylphenidate will be invited to participate in a pilot study of the non-stimulant medication guanfacine (Tenex).
Read the detailed description
The safety and efficacy of methylphenidate (MPH) in 60 children and adolescents with PDD and behavioral difficulties (such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and distractibility) will be evaluated in a multi-dose, 4-week randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study. The MPH study has three parts: a Test-Dose Period, a Double-Blind trial and an 8-Week Extension Period (open-label). After a screening visit, eligible children will start a 1-week Test-Dose Period. During this week, each child will be given the three MPH doses that are used in the Double-Blind trial to make sure there are no serious side effects. If problems are encountered at the high dose level, that dose will not be given in the Double-Blind phase. The Double-Blind phase lasts 4 weeks and consists of three different MPH dose levels and a week of placebo. Each treatment/dose is given for 1 week, and neither the researcher nor the participants' families will know whether the medication is placebo or MPH. Children who do well during this phase will continue on the best dose of MPH (determined during the Double-Blind phase) for an additional eight weeks (open-label).
Those who do not show significant improvement during the Double-Blind phase, do not tolerate MPH during the Test Dose Period, or are not able to take MPH before beginning the study are offered open-label treatment with guanfacine for 8 weeks.
Prior to randomization in the MPH trial OR entry into the open-label guanfacine trial, there will be a medication-free period for children who are currently on medication. The withdrawal will be conducted in clinically appropriate way (depending on drug and duration of treatment) to minimize withdrawal effects. This period is to establish a drug-free baseline measurement and to minimize drug-drug interaction. No participant will be withdrawn from a currently effective medication.
- Conditions
- Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorders
- Being tested
- methylphenidate, guanfacine
- Keywords
- Hyperactivity, Distractibility, Impulsiveness, Pervasive Development Disorders
- Medical subject headings
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Spasm, Impulsive Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
methylphenidateDrug
guanfacineDrug
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Oct 2001 (estimated)
- Study startOct 2001
- Primary completionNov 2003
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Attention Deficit Disorder With HyperactivityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)The sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Enrolment
- 60 participants
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
- Investigators
- Eugene Arnold, MD, Study chair, Ohio State UniversityLarry Scahill, Ph.D, Yale University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00025779
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- N01 MH70009
- Other IDs
- N01 MH80011, N01 MH70010, N01 MH70001, DSIR CT
- Status last verified
- Aug 2008
- First submitted
- 23 Oct 2001
- Last updated
- 28 Jul 2009
- Results posted
- No
Publications
Scahill L, McDougle CJ, Williams SK, Dimitropoulos A, Aman MG, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Arnold LE, Cronin P, Grados M, Ghuman J, Koenig K, Lam KS, McGough J, Posey DJ, Ritz L, Swiezy NB, Vitiello B; Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for pervasive developmental disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;45(9):1114-23. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000220854.79144.e7.
PubMed 16926619Scahill L, Aman MG, McDougle CJ, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Dziura J, Arnold LE, Posey D, Young C, Shah B, Ghuman J, Ritz L, Vitiello B. A prospective open trial of guanfacine in children with pervasive developmental disorders. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2006 Oct;16(5):589-98. doi: 10.1089/cap.2006.16.589.
PubMed 17069547Posey DJ, Aman MG, McCracken JT, Scahill L, Tierney E, Arnold LE, Vitiello B, Chuang SZ, Davies M, Ramadan Y, Witwer AN, Swiezy NB, Cronin P, Shah B, Carroll DH, Young C, Wheeler C, McDougle CJ. Positive effects of methylphenidate on inattention and hyperactivity in pervasive developmental disorders: an analysis of secondary measures. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 15;61(4):538-44. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.028.
PubMed 17276750Sukhodolsky DG, Scahill L, Gadow KD, Arnold LE, Aman MG, McDougle CJ, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Williams White S, Lecavalier L, Vitiello B. Parent-rated anxiety symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders: frequency and association with core autism symptoms and cognitive functioning. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2008 Jan;36(1):117-28. doi: 10.1007/s10802-007-9165-9. Epub 2007 Aug 3.
PubMed 17674186Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of methylphenidate in pervasive developmental disorders with hyperactivity. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Nov;62(11):1266-74. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.11.1266.
PubMed 16275814Iffland M, Livingstone N, Jorgensen M, Hazell P, Gillies D. Pharmacological intervention for irritability, aggression, and self-injury in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Oct 9;10(10):CD011769. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011769.pub2.
PubMed 37811711
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Jul 2009. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Methylphenidate for Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness in Children and Adolescents With Pervasive Developmental Disorders
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00025779
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- N01 MH70009
- Conditions
- Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorders
- Keywords
- Hyperactivity, Distractibility, Impulsiveness, Pervasive Development Disorders
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- Oct 2001
- Primary completion
- Nov 2003 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Oct 2001 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate for treating hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility in 60 children and adolescents with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Methylphenidate (Ritalin)is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Data supporting its safety and effectiveness in treating ADHD symptoms in PDD are limited. Children and adolescents who do not show a positive response to methylphenidate will be invited to participate in a pilot study of the non-stimulant medication guanfacine (Tenex).
Detailed description
The safety and efficacy of methylphenidate (MPH) in 60 children and adolescents with PDD and behavioral difficulties (such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and distractibility) will be evaluated in a multi-dose, 4-week randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study. The MPH study has three parts: a Test-Dose Period, a Double-Blind trial and an 8-Week Extension Period (open-label). After a screening visit, eligible children will start a 1-week Test-Dose Period. During this week, each child will be given the three MPH doses that are used in the Double-Blind trial to make sure there are no serious side effects. If problems are encountered at the high dose level, that dose will not be given in the Double-Blind phase. The Double-Blind phase lasts 4 weeks and consists of three different MPH dose levels and a week of placebo. Each treatment/dose is given for 1 week, and neither the researcher nor the participants' families will know whether the medication is placebo or MPH. Children who do well during this phase will continue on the best dose of MPH (determined during the Double-Blind phase) for an additional eight weeks (open-label).
Those who do not show significant improvement during the Double-Blind phase, do not tolerate MPH during the Test Dose Period, or are not able to take MPH before beginning the study are offered open-label treatment with guanfacine for 8 weeks.
Prior to randomization in the MPH trial OR entry into the open-label guanfacine trial, there will be a medication-free period for children who are currently on medication. The withdrawal will be conducted in clinically appropriate way (depending on drug and duration of treatment) to minimize withdrawal effects. This period is to establish a drug-free baseline measurement and to minimize drug-drug interaction. No participant will be withdrawn from a currently effective medication.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 5 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| methylphenidate | Drug | – |
| guanfacine | Drug | – |
Primary outcome
hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Jul 2009.
- Background: PubMed 16926619Scahill L, McDougle CJ, Williams SK, Dimitropoulos A, Aman MG, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Arnold LE, Cronin P, Grados M, Ghuman J, Koenig K, Lam KS, McGough J, Posey DJ, Ritz L, Swiezy NB, Vitiello B; Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for pervasive developmental disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;45(9):1114-23. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000220854.79144.e7.
- Background: PubMed 17069547Scahill L, Aman MG, McDougle CJ, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Dziura J, Arnold LE, Posey D, Young C, Shah B, Ghuman J, Ritz L, Vitiello B. A prospective open trial of guanfacine in children with pervasive developmental disorders. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2006 Oct;16(5):589-98. doi: 10.1089/cap.2006.16.589.
- Background: PubMed 17276750Posey DJ, Aman MG, McCracken JT, Scahill L, Tierney E, Arnold LE, Vitiello B, Chuang SZ, Davies M, Ramadan Y, Witwer AN, Swiezy NB, Cronin P, Shah B, Carroll DH, Young C, Wheeler C, McDougle CJ. Positive effects of methylphenidate on inattention and hyperactivity in pervasive developmental disorders: an analysis of secondary measures. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 15;61(4):538-44. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.028.
- Background: PubMed 17674186Sukhodolsky DG, Scahill L, Gadow KD, Arnold LE, Aman MG, McDougle CJ, McCracken JT, Tierney E, Williams White S, Lecavalier L, Vitiello B. Parent-rated anxiety symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders: frequency and association with core autism symptoms and cognitive functioning. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2008 Jan;36(1):117-28. doi: 10.1007/s10802-007-9165-9. Epub 2007 Aug 3.
- Results publication: PubMed 16275814Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of methylphenidate in pervasive developmental disorders with hyperactivity. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Nov;62(11):1266-74. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.11.1266.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37811711Iffland M, Livingstone N, Jorgensen M, Hazell P, Gillies D. Pharmacological intervention for irritability, aggression, and self-injury in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Oct 9;10(10):CD011769. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011769.pub2.
- More information on childhood disordersLink provided by the sponsor.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Eugene Arnold, MD study chair
Ohio State University
Larry Scahill, Ph.D
Yale University
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing methylphenidate and guanfacine in people with Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity and Autistic Disorder, run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at 5 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 2009. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00025779, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jul 2009; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.