Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderPhase 4NCT00517504
Methylphenidate Study in Young Children With Developmental Disorders
A Phase 4 study testing Methylphenidate in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by University of Arizona.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin), a medicine used for treating older children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is also safe and helpful for problems related to symptoms of ADHD in young children with Developmental Disorders (DD) Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 36 to 84 months
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Methylphenidate
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- May 2001to Mar 2008
- Phase
- Phase 4
- 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 36 to 84 months
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 36-84 month old children
- Child must meet the DSM-IV criteria for AD or PDD NOS as determined via a parent interview on the ADI-R and on child observation via the ADOS, or DD.
- Child must have categorical and dimensional evidence of clinically significant ADHD symptoms in multiple settings that have been present for at least six months
Who cannot join
- Child with prior failed treatment with an adequate trial of methylphenidate;
- Concurrent treatment with other medications that have CNS effects or that affect performance (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, alpha-agonists, adrenergic blockers, lithium carbonate, sedating antihistamines, decongestant or sympathomimetics);
- Child with a current history of chronic tic disorder (e.g., Tourette syndrome with current severity of moderate or more), or a family history of Tourette's Disorder. Children with chronic mild tics will be eligible for the study;
- Child who has a major medical condition that would interfere with involvement in the study or would be affected negatively by methylphenidate (i.e., heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, untreated or unstable hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled seizure disorder, or illnesses that would require hospitalization). Children with seizures will be eligible for the study if the seizure medication is stable for 3 months and the child is seizure-free for at least 6 months;
- Child with co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, a psychotic disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, or other psychiatric disorders in addition to PDD and ADHD that may require treatment with additional/alternative medication;
- Current history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse;
- The patient has taken an investigational drug within the last 30 days.
About this study
The purpose of this study is to determine if methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin), a medicine used for treating older children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is also safe and helpful for problems related to symptoms of ADHD in young children with Developmental Disorders (DD)
Read the detailed description
Currently, there is no systematic empirical information to guide the use of methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin) to treat symptoms of ADHD in young children with Autistic Disorder/Asperger's Disorder/Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified/Developmental Disorders. Preliminary data from a recent study of ADHD in young children suggest that methylphenidate may be useful in children with developmental disorders (DD). The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate to treat ADHD symptoms in young children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or Developmental Disorders (DD).
All subjects will be screened for eligibility inclusion and exclusion criteria. All concurrent non-pharmacological therapies will be stabilized for a minimum period of 2 weeks prior to the child's entry into the drug phase of the study. At each medication follow-up visit, a detailed history will be obtained and recorded for all concurrent treatments. If a child enrolls in this study, his/her participation will last approximately 3 to 4½ months with 12-18 outpatient daytime visits.
Screening assessment: The child's parent and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will need to complete some forms that describe the child's problems with overactivity, impulsivity and inattention. If these forms indicate that the child may have ADHD the investigator will schedule outpatient-screening assessments. The research staff will evaluate the child to see if s/he has a Developmental Disorder (DD) or PDD and ADHD. Each child will receive a developmental assessment, and each parent will be interviewed about his or her child's behavior. The child's teacher will be given several rating forms to complete. The parents will be asked to complete some questions about the child's development. Both parents (if available) will be interviewed about their family histories. Some of the screening assessments will be videotaped/audiotaped. Each child will have a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a urine test and a blood test. The doctor will ask the parents about his or her child's medical history.
Medication phase: After screening assessments are completed, the child will enter the medication phase of the study. Each child will first have a step-wise single-blind titration of MPH to determine his/her best dose followed by a double-blind crossover trial with placebo and the child's best dose. The order of active drug and placebo will be randomized across the sample so that half the children will first receive MPH for 2 weeks and the other half will first receive placebo for 2 weeks. The children will receive the alternative drug condition (placebo or the child's best dose) for the next 2 weeks.
The child and his/her parents will come back each week for a clinic visit. At each visit the child's height, weight, blood pressure and pulse will be checked. The child's parents and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will be asked to complete some rating scales every week.
- Conditions
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Being tested
- Methylphenidate
- Keywords
- methylphenidate, ritalin, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental disorder, preschool children
- Medical subject headings
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Developmental Disabilities
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MethylphenidateDrug
- 1-week single blind placebo lead-in phase.
- step-wise single blind titration of MPH at 1.25 mg bid for the first week, 2.5 mg bid for the second week , 5 mg bid for the third week, 7.5 mg bid for the fourth week and 10 mg bid for the 5th week.
Dose increased if room for improvement in child's symptoms and no clinically important side effects. Dose not increased if no room for improvement in child's symptoms or if clinically important side effects.
After single blind titration, child enters a 4-week double-blind randomized crossover study with placebo and child's best dose that produced maximal effect with minimal side effects, with each child serving as his/her own control.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive subscale of the Conners Rating Scale-Revised completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. - Clinician's Global Improvement completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial.
Measured: 3 to 4.5 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
-Hyperactive subscale of the Nisonger-Child Behavior Rating Form. -Children's Global Assessment Scale -Weekly side effect ratings and safety measures -Behavioral observation -Neuropsychological executive functions -Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Measured: 3 to 4.5 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Aug 2007 (estimated)
- Study startMay 2001
- Primary completionMar 2008
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Arizona
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Jaswinder K Ghuman, M.D., Principal investigator, University of Arizona
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00517504
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSC03-59
- Status last verified
- Jul 2012
- First submitted
- 15 Aug 2007
- Last updated
- 4 Jul 2012
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jul 2012. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Methylphenidate Study in Young Children With Developmental Disorders
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00517504
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSC03-59
- Conditions
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Keywords
- methylphenidate, ritalin, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental disorder, preschool children
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ArizonaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study start
- May 2001
- Primary completion
- Mar 2008 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Aug 2007 (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.
The purpose of this study is to determine if methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin), a medicine used for treating older children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is also safe and helpful for problems related to symptoms of ADHD in young children with Developmental Disorders (DD)
Detailed description
Currently, there is no systematic empirical information to guide the use of methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin) to treat symptoms of ADHD in young children with Autistic Disorder/Asperger's Disorder/Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified/Developmental Disorders. Preliminary data from a recent study of ADHD in young children suggest that methylphenidate may be useful in children with developmental disorders (DD). The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate to treat ADHD symptoms in young children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or Developmental Disorders (DD).
All subjects will be screened for eligibility inclusion and exclusion criteria. All concurrent non-pharmacological therapies will be stabilized for a minimum period of 2 weeks prior to the child's entry into the drug phase of the study. At each medication follow-up visit, a detailed history will be obtained and recorded for all concurrent treatments. If a child enrolls in this study, his/her participation will last approximately 3 to 4½ months with 12-18 outpatient daytime visits.
Screening assessment: The child's parent and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will need to complete some forms that describe the child's problems with overactivity, impulsivity and inattention. If these forms indicate that the child may have ADHD the investigator will schedule outpatient-screening assessments. The research staff will evaluate the child to see if s/he has a Developmental Disorder (DD) or PDD and ADHD. Each child will receive a developmental assessment, and each parent will be interviewed about his or her child's behavior. The child's teacher will be given several rating forms to complete. The parents will be asked to complete some questions about the child's development. Both parents (if available) will be interviewed about their family histories. Some of the screening assessments will be videotaped/audiotaped. Each child will have a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a urine test and a blood test. The doctor will ask the parents about his or her child's medical history.
Medication phase: After screening assessments are completed, the child will enter the medication phase of the study. Each child will first have a step-wise single-blind titration of MPH to determine his/her best dose followed by a double-blind crossover trial with placebo and the child's best dose. The order of active drug and placebo will be randomized across the sample so that half the children will first receive MPH for 2 weeks and the other half will first receive placebo for 2 weeks. The children will receive the alternative drug condition (placebo or the child's best dose) for the next 2 weeks.
The child and his/her parents will come back each week for a clinic visit. At each visit the child's height, weight, blood pressure and pulse will be checked. The child's parents and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will be asked to complete some rating scales every week.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 36 to 84 months
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 36-84 month old children
- Child must meet the DSM-IV criteria for AD or PDD NOS as determined via a parent interview on the ADI-R and on child observation via the ADOS, or DD.
- Child must have categorical and dimensional evidence of clinically significant ADHD symptoms in multiple settings that have been present for at least six months
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Child with prior failed treatment with an adequate trial of methylphenidate;
- Concurrent treatment with other medications that have CNS effects or that affect performance (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, alpha-agonists, adrenergic blockers, lithium carbonate, sedating antihistamines, decongestant or sympathomimetics);
- Child with a current history of chronic tic disorder (e.g., Tourette syndrome with current severity of moderate or more), or a family history of Tourette's Disorder. Children with chronic mild tics will be eligible for the study;
- Child who has a major medical condition that would interfere with involvement in the study or would be affected negatively by methylphenidate (i.e., heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, untreated or unstable hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled seizure disorder, or illnesses that would require hospitalization). Children with seizures will be eligible for the study if the seizure medication is stable for 3 months and the child is seizure-free for at least 6 months;
- Child with co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, a psychotic disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, or other psychiatric disorders in addition to PDD and ADHD that may require treatment with additional/alternative medication;
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* 1-week single blind placebo lead-in phase. * step-wise single blind titration of MPH at 1.25 mg bid for the first week, 2.5 mg bid for the second week , 5 mg bid for the third week, 7.5 mg bid for the fourth week and 10 mg bid for the 5th week. Dose increased if room for improvement in child's symptoms and no clinically important side effects. Dose not increased if no room for improvement in child's symptoms or if clinically important side effects. After single blind titration, child enters a 4-week double-blind randomized crossover study with placebo and child's best dose that produced maximal effect with minimal side effects, with each child serving as his/her own control. | Drug | – |
Primary outcome
- Hyperactive-Impulsive subscale of the Conners Rating Scale-Revised completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. - Clinician's Global Improvement completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial.
Time frame: 3 to 4.5 months
1 secondary outcome
-Hyperactive subscale of the Nisonger-Child Behavior Rating Form. -Children's Global Assessment Scale -Weekly side effect ratings and safety measures -Behavioral observation -Neuropsychological executive functions -Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Time frame: 3 to 4.5 months
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 4 Jul 2012.
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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.
Jaswinder K Ghuman, M.D. principal investigator
University of Arizona
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Methylphenidate in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by University of Arizona.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. 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 4 Jul 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
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?
- Hyperactive-Impulsive subscale of the Conners Rating Scale-Revised completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. - Clinician's Global Improvement completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. (time frame: 3 to 4.5 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 4 Jul 2012.