Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With Pervasive Developmental Disorders

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). 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).

Timeline

Start

2001-10

Primary completion

2003-11

Completion

—

Publications

• Background 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.
• Background Scahill 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 Posey 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 Sukhodolsky 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 Research 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.
• Iffland 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.

Drugs

Indications