Electrophysiological Effects of Guanfacine Extended Release in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Electrophysiological Effects of Guanfacine Extended Release in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Electrophysiological Effects of Guanfacine Extended-Release (GXR) on Inhibitory Control in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

All subjects with the study will be children (age 6-12) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). After baseline assessment confirms the presence of ADHD, children will have an Event related potential (ERP) (a type of electroencephalogram [EEG]) study. After the baseline EEG, children will be randomized to either placebo or GXR for a 4-week, parallel groups trial. During this trial, dosing will be flexibly adjusted according to patient response or presence of side effects. The dosage will range from 1-4 mg. At the end of the four week trial, a follow up ERP study will be obtained.

All subjects with the study will be children (age 6-12) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). After baseline assessment confirms the presence of ADHD, children will have an Event related potential (ERP) (a type of electroencephalogram [EEG]) study. After the baseline EEG, children will be randomized to either placebo or GXR for a 4-week, parallel groups trial. During this trial, dosing will be flexibly adjusted according to patient response or presence of side effects. The dosage will range from 1-4 mg. At the end of the four week trial, a follow up ERP study will be obtained. Our hypotheses are: A) GXR will be superior to placebo at reducing symptoms of ADHD as measured by standardized clinical diagnostic tools by week 3 of treatment. B) Compared to placebo and pretreatment measures, GXR at week 4 of treatment will increase the amplitude of the right frontal N200 and frontal-central P300, and such changes will correlate with clinical response.

Patients will be started on 1 mg of guanfacine extended release matching placebo tablets at week 1. A physician blind to drug status will titrate the study medication in week 2-3 to a maximum of 4 mg (4 tablets).

Patients will be started on 1 mg of guanfacine extended release at week 1. A physician blind to drug status will titrate the study medication in week 2-3 to a maximum of 4 mg (4 tablets).

Guanfacine is an alpha-2A agonist which is given one a day. the dose range is 1-4 mg. It is a tablet.

54 point scales assessing ADHD symptoms in a dimensional manner. 0 is no ADHD symptoms while 54 is severe. A score of 18 or below is the normative range.

Blinded clinician overall assessment of the child global improvement in behavior-1 is very much improved, 2-much improved, 3- minimally improved, 4 no change, 5-minimally worse, 6- much worse, 7- very much worse

Inclusion Criteria: Children aged 6-12 years Meet criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Exclusion Criteria: Do not meet criteria for Major Depression, Bipolar, Autism Talking any psychotropic medication for a condition other than ADHD History of epilepsy, severe head injury or loss of consciousness History of Intolerance to guanfacine