Matthew Brams

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the efficacy and safety of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: novel findings using a simulated adult workplace environment design

BackgroundDuration of efficacy and safety of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) was assessed in adults (18-55 years) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the simulated adult workplace environment.MethodsAfter open-label dose optimization (4-week) with LDX, 30-70 mg/d, subjects entered a 2-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover phase. Efficacy assessments included the Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP) total score (attempted+correct) measured predose and from 2 to 14 hours postdose, averaged across postdose sessions (primary) and at each time point vs placebo (secondary), and ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) with adult prompts at baseline and crossover visits. Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), vital signs, and electrocardiograms.ResultsOf 127 randomized subjects, 105 were in the intention-to-treat population and 103 completed the study. While receiving LDX vs placebo, adults had greater improvement (P < .0001) in average PERMP total scores as measured by difference in least squares (LS) mean (95% CI): 23.4 (15.6, 31.2). Absolute (P ≤ .0017 for each time point) and change from predose (P < .001 for each time point) PERMP total scores were greater at all postdose time points from 2 to 14 h for adults while receiving LDX vs placebo. LDX demonstrated efficacy vs placebo (P < .0001) by the difference in LS mean (95% CI) for ADHD-RS-IV total scores: -11.5 (-14.2, -8.9). TEAEs (≥ 10%) during dose optimization were decreased appetite, dry mouth, headache, and insomnia; no TEAEs ≥ 5% were reported during crossover phase for adults receiving LDX.ConclusionsLDX significantly improved PERMP scores vs placebo and maintained improvement throughout the day from the first (2 hours) to last (14 hours) postdose time point vs placebo in adults with ADHD.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00697515Safety and Efficacy Workplace Environment Study of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate (LDX) in Adults With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00697515?term=NCT00697515&rank=1

A Controlled Trial of Extended-Release Guanfacine and Psychostimulants for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE To examine efficacy, tolerability, and safety of guanfacine extended release (GXR; ≤4 mg/d) adjunctive to a long-acting psychostimulant for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents 6 to 17 years of age with suboptimal, but partial, response to psychostimulant alone. METHOD In this multicenter, 9-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-optimization study, subjects (N = 461) continued their stable dose of psychostimulant given in the morning and were randomized to receive GXR in the morning (GXR AM), GXR in the evening (GXR PM), or placebo. Efficacy measures included ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) and Clinical Global Impressions of Severity of Illness (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales. Safety measures included adverse events (AEs), vital signs, electrocardiograms, and laboratory evaluations. RESULTS At endpoint, GXR treatment groups showed significantly greater improvement from baseline ADHD-RS-IV total scores compared with placebo plus psychostimulant (GXR AM, p = .002; GXR PM, p < .001). Significant benefits of GXR treatment versus placebo plus psychostimulant were observed on the CGI-S (GXR AM, p = .013; GXR PM, p < .001) and CGI-I (GXR AM, p = .024; GXR PM, p = .003). At endpoint, small mean decreases in pulse, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure were observed in GXR treatment groups versus placebo plus psychostimulant. No new safety signals emerged following administration of GXR with psychostimulants versus psychostimulants alone. Most AEs were mild to moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS Morning or evening GXR administered adjunctively to a psychostimulant showed significantly greater improvement over placebo plus psychostimulant in ADHD symptoms and generated no new safety signals. Clinical trial registration information-Efficacy and Safety of SPD503 in Combination With Psychostimulants; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00734578.

Academic, behavioral, and cognitive effects of OROS® methylphenidate on older children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of Osmotic-Release Oral System (OROS) methylphenidate (MPH) on a variety of measures evaluating academic performance, cognition, and social behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory school study enrolled 78 children aged 9-12 years with ADHD who responded to OROS MPH. After determining individualized OROS MPH dosing (18-54 mg/day), 71 subjects received blinded treatment (OROS MPH or placebo then vice versa) on each of 2 laboratory school days, separated by 1 week. Primary efficacy was measured by Permanent Product Measure of Performance at 4 hours after study drug administration. RESULTS Treatment with OROS MPH resulted in statistically significant improvement in Permanent Product Measure of Performance and Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham scores, measures of response time, and of working memory compared to placebo. Other measures did not meet all pre-established criteria for significance (maintenance of the overall type I error rate at 5%). Adverse events were consistent with previous reports of stimulant medications used in the management of ADHD. There were no discontinuations due to adverse events, and no serious adverse events or deaths. CONCLUSIONS OROS MPH dosed to reduce core symptoms of ADHD to within the normal range also improved performance on a variety of academic tasks in school-aged children compared to placebo. Adverse effects reported were consistent with prior studies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY INFORMATION: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Evaluating the Academic, Behavioral and Cognitive Effects of Concerta on Older Children with ADHD, URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00799409, unique identifier: NCT00799409.

A randomized, double-blind, crossover study of once-daily dexmethylphenidate in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: rapid onset of effect.

AbstractBackground: Long-acting methylphenidate formulations provide control of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms for up to 12 hours; however, not all formulations have rapid onset of therapeutic effect, which is essential for providing symptom control during morning hours. The primary objective of this randomized, double-blind, crossover study was to assess the efficacy of dexmethylphenidate extended release (ER) versus placebo by measuring the change from pre-dose to 0.5 hours post-dose on the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham (SKAMP) rating scale. Methods: Eighty-six children (6–12 years) with ADHD diagnosed using the DSM-IV criteria were randomized to receive dexmethylphenidate ER 20 mg/day or placebo, sequentially, for 7 days, with the final dose administered in a laboratory classroom setting on day 7 of each treatment period. The primary efficacy comparison was change in the SKAMP-Combined score from pre-dose to 0.5 hours post-dose, with additional secondary assessments at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours post-dose. Secondary efficacy measures included change from pre-dose at all timepoints in the SKAMP-Attention and SKAMP-Deportment, Math Test-Attempted and Math Test-Correct scores, and change from baseline on the Conners’ ADHD/DSM-IV Scale for Parents (CADS-P). In an exploratory analysis, a daily diary card was completed by parents on the children’s in-home behaviour before school. Safety was assessed by occurrence of adverse events, monitoring of vital signs and interpretation of ECGs. Results: Significant improvements were noted at 0.5 hours and at all timepoints post-dose throughout the 8-hour laboratory classroom day for dexmethylphenidate ER vs placebo in the primary outcome measure of the SKAMP-Combined scores (p < 0.001), as well as SKAMP-Attention, SKAMP-Deportment, Math Test-Attempted and Math Test-Correct scores (p < 0.05). The changes from baseline in CADS-P scores were significantly greater with dexmethylphenidate ER than placebo (−16.382 vs −4.622; p < 0.001). Responses to all diary questions indicated significant improvement with dexmethylphenidate ER treatment versus placebo (all p < 0.001). The most common adverse events were abdominal pain (dexmethylphenidate ER 3.5%; placebo 4.7%), headache (dexmethylphenidate ER 3.5%; placebo 2.3%) and increased appetite (dexmethylphenidate ER 0%; placebo 3.5%). Conclusion: Compared with placebo, once-daily dexmethylphenidate ER 20 mg provided rapid and significant improvement at 0.5 hours post-dose in attention, deportment and academic performance, which was sustained for 8 hours post-dose. Overall, once-daily dexmethylphenidate ER 20 mg was well tolerated. In an analysis of parental assessment of diary responses, children appeared more organized, and morning preparation for school was smoother and less frustrating with once-daily dexmethylphenidate ER compared with placebo.

Efficacy and safety of extended-release dexmethylphenidate compared with d,l-methylphenidate and placebo in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a 12-hour laboratory classroom study.

OBJECTIVE This study compared the efficacy and safety of extended-release dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH-ER) 20 mg/day and 30 mg/day with extended-release racemic methylphenidate hydrochloride (d,l-MPH-ER) 36 mg/day and 54 mg/day, and placebo in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a laboratory classroom setting. METHODS This multicenter, double-blind, crossover study included children (N = 84) 6-12 years of age, stabilized on total daily doses of 40 mg to 60 mg d,l-MPH or 20 mg/day or 30 mg/day d-MPH who were randomized to different treatment sequences. Primary efficacy was measured by the change from pre-dose in Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP) Rating Scale-Combined scores at 2 hours post-dose (d-MPH-ER 20 mg/day versus d,l-MPH- ER 36 mg/day). Adverse events were monitored throughout the study period. RESULTS Mean change in SKAMP-Combined score at 2 hours post-dose was significantly larger for d-MPH-ER 20 mg/day versus d,l-MPH-ER 36 mg/day (p < 0.001). Both doses of d-MPH-ER had a more rapid onset and greater morning effect relative to d,l-MPH-ER while d,l-MPH-ER had a greater effect at the end of the 12-hour day. All active treatments provided a significant benefit over placebo at most time points to 12 hours post-dosing. Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS d-MPH-ER and d,l-MPH-ER improved ADHD symptoms and were well tolerated. While d-MPH-ER had a faster onset of action, d,l-MPH-ER retained greater effect at the end of the 12- hour classroom day.

Maintenance of efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: randomized withdrawal design.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate lisdexamfetamine dimesylate maintenance of efficacy in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD Adults (aged 18-55 years) who had ADHD meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria, baseline ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) with adult prompts total scores of < 22, and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) ratings of 1, 2, or 3 were enrolled. After previously receiving commercially available lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (30, 50, or 70 mg/d) for ≥ 6 months with acceptable tolerability and maintaining response during a 3-week open-label phase at a stable lisdexamfetamine dimesylate dose, the participants entered a 6-week double-blind randomized withdrawal phase on treatment with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (same dose) or placebo. Data were collected from April 2009 to July 2010. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants having symptom relapse (≥ 50% increase in ADHD-RS-IV score and ≥ 2 rating-point increase in CGI-S score). RESULTS A total of 116 participants were randomized (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate n = 56; placebo n = 60). At the randomized withdrawal phase baseline, mean (SD) ADHD-RS-IV scores for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate and placebo were 10.6 (4.96) and 10.6 (4.82), respectively. At endpoint, 8.9% (5/56) of adults taking lisdexamfetamine dimesylate and 75.0% (45/60) taking placebo (P < .0001) showed symptom relapse; most showed relapse after 1 and 2 weeks of the randomized withdrawal phase (4 and 0 adults taking lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, 26 and 10 taking placebo, respectively). During the randomized withdrawal phase, treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 48.2% and 30.0% of participants in the lisdexamfetamine dimesylate and placebo groups, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events with incidence ≥ 5% in the lisdexamfetamine dimesylate and placebo groups were headache (14.3% and 5.0%), insomnia (5.4% and 5.0%), and upper respiratory tract infection (8.9% and 0%). CONCLUSIONS In adults with ADHD on medium- to long-term treatment, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate demonstrated maintenance of efficacy vs placebo upon randomized withdrawal. A majority of patients given placebo showed symptom relapse by 2 weeks. The safety profile of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate was generally consistent with previous lisdexamfetamine dimesylate studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00877487.

Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day

Abstract Objective: To examine duration of efficacy in long-acting stimulant treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in clinical trials using analog classroom protocols. Research design and methods: Published reports of clinical trials examining duration of medication efficacy using analog classroom protocols were identified in a systematic literature search of PubMed, BIOSYS, and EMBASE, through June 2009 using combinations of terms: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity, stimulant, methylphenidate (MPH), amphetamine, laboratory school or classroom, analog classroom, math test, and Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP). Reports of short-acting, nonoral or nonstimulant formulations, or inadequate data on duration of efficacy were excluded. Main outcome measures: Main outcomes examined were PERMP scores for number of math problems attempted (PERMP-A) and correctly answered (PERMP-C) based on a standard 10-minute math test given at regular intervals during the postdose period. Results: Fifteen trials were included in the analysis. All except one trial in adults (18–55 years) were conducted in children with ADHD (6–15 years) and employed randomized, double- or single-blind, placebo-controlled designs. Duration of efficacy, based on PERMP-A/-C scores (vs. placebo), ranged from 8 hours with long-acting MPH to 14 hours with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate; most formulations exerted therapeutic effects for 12 hours after a single morning dose. Duration of efficacy assessment may be limited by duration of observation (12 hours postdose for most studies). Outcomes may have been influenced by differences in study designs, population characteristics, lack of comparable, equivalent dosages of different extended-release stimulants, and limited ability to extrapolate safety and tolerability from short-term studies to long-term clinical use. Results from cross-study comparisons must be interpreted with caution. Conclusions: Most long-acting stimulants exerted beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms for up to 12 hours as measured by the PERMP; the longest duration of efficacy versus placebo was seen with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (14 hours postdose).

Dexmethylphenidate extended-release capsules in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE This study compared once-daily dexmethylphenidate extended release (D-MPH-ER) 20 mg/day and placebo over 12 hours in children ages 6 to 12 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a laboratory classroom setting. METHOD All of the children were stabilized for > or =2 weeks on a total dose (nearest equivalent) MPH 40 mg/day or immediate-release D-MPH 20 mg/day before screening. After a practice day, they received 6 days of D-MPH-ER 20 mg/day or placebo at home, returning on day 7 for one dose. Subjects were evaluated at predose and postdose hours 0.5, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and then crossed over to the other treatment arm using the identical protocol. The primary efficacy variable was the change from predose in Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham rating scale (SKAMP) combined score from 1 to 12 hours. Secondary efficacy variables included SKAMP combined score at 0.5 hours, SKAMP subscale scores, and math test results over 12 hours. RESULTS Sixty-eight children were randomized, with 67 completing the study. Onset of action was indicated by a significant difference between D-MPH-ER and placebo at 0.5 hour on the SKAMP combined score (p = .001). For efficacy measures, differences from placebo were significant at all points between 0.5 and 12 hours (p < .001 top = .013). CONCLUSIONS D-MPH-ER provided sustained improvement in attention, deportment, and academic productivity throughout the 12-hour laboratory day.

Open-Label Administration of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Improves Executive Function Impairments and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults

Abstract Introduction/Objective: Executive function (EF) impairment in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may account for behavioral symptoms such as poor concentration, impaired working memory, problems in shifting among tasks, and prioritizing and planning complex sets of tasks or completing long-term projects at work or school. Poor self-regulation and control of emotional behaviors frequently are seen in patients with ADHD. This study assessed EF behaviors in adults with ADHD at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX). Methods: Executive function behavior was assessed using the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) during the 4-week open-label dose-optimization phase prior to a 2-period, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of LDX (30–70 mg/day). The ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) with adult prompts assessed ADHD symptoms. Change in EF behavioral symptoms was evaluated based on week 4 BADDS total and cluster scores; analyses of shifts from baseline among subjects with BADDS scores < 50, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and ≥ 70; and scores less than or greater than baseline 90% confidence range (eg, reliably improved or worsened, respectively). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were described. Results: At week 4, BADDS total and cluster scores were reduced (ie, improved; all P < 0.0001 vs baseline [n = 127]). The ADHD-RS-IV with adult prompts scores also improved (all P < 0.0001 vs baseline). At week 4, 62.7% of subjects had a BADDS total score of < 50, and 78.9% were reliably improved; 1.4% were reliably worsened. Common TEAEs (≥ 5%) during the dose-optimization phase were decreased appetite (36.6%), dry mouth (30.3%), headache (19.7%), insomnia (18.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (9.9%), irritability (8.5%), nausea (7.7%), anxiety (5.6%), and feeling jittery (5.6%). Conclusion: Clinically optimized doses of LDX (30–70 mg/day) significantly improved EF behaviors in adults with ADHD. Treatment-emergent adverse events with LDX were consistent with those observed with long-term stimulant use.

Clinical utility of ADHD symptom thresholds to assess normalization of executive function with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate treatment in adults.

Abstract Objectives: This analysis assessed the relationship of various cutoff scores of the ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) to levels of improvement in ADHD-related executive function (EF), measured by the Brown ADD Scale for Adults (BADDS), which may provide a measure of clinically meaningful EF improvement after ADHD treatment. Methods: Post hoc analysis of a 4-week, open-label, dose-optimization phase in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) in adults with ADHD. The BADDS for Adults, a validated, normed, self-report measure of EF in ADHD, provides a qualitative measure to rate treatment progress. The ADHD-RS-IV assesses current symptom status based on DSM-IV criteria. Postbaseline ADHD-RS-IV scores were categorized according to four cutoff criteria of symptom remission: (1) ADHD-RS-IV total score ≤18; (2) ADHD-RS-IV total score ≤10; (3) no ADHD-RS-IV item scored >1; and (4) ADHD-RS-IV total score ≤18 and ≤2 items per subscale with a score of 2. Sensitivity and specificity of criteria for identifying participants with optimal BADDS scores were assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Safety evaluation included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: At endpoint, 85/127 participants had optimal BADDS scores. Linear ANOVA indicated limited overlap between BADDS and ADHD-RS-IV scores (r 2 = 0.20; P < 0.0001). Specificity was similar for criteria 1–4 (0.46, 0.39, 0.39, and 0.42), as were ROC (0.699, 0.776, 0.732, and 0.668). Sensitivity was high for criteria 2 and 3 (0.96, 0.92), lower for criteria 1 and 4 (0.72, 0.75). TEAEs were consistent with those of stimulants. Conclusion: Criteria 2 and 3 had satisfactorily high sensitivity, but no criteria had adequate specificity. AUC comparison indicated that criteria 2 and 3 ADHD-RS-IV thresholds may be more accurate assessments of EF normalization as measured by the BADDS. The open-label design, small sample size, and selection criteria limit the applicability of these results to a larger treatment population. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00697515.