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Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Bipolar Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Registration Number
NCT00116259
Lead Sponsor
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Brief Summary

There is a scarcity of clinical trials assessing the effects of medications in children with bipolar disorder. This study aims to assess the efficacy of Aripiprazole (a novel anti-psychotic drug) for the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder comorbid with ADHD. The study design is a 8-week randomized, double blind, parallel group trial. Patients were randomized to either aripiprazole or placebo.

The main hypotheses are:

1. Aripiprazole will significantly reduce maniac scores compared to placebo

2. Aripiprazole will significantly reduce ADHD scores compared to placebo

Detailed Description

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic disorder that severely affects the normal development of children and adolescents. The disorder is associated with high rates of suicide tentative and high-risk behaviors like sexual promiscuity and drug abuse. Bipolar disorder in children is also associated with high rates of comorbidity, especially with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There is a scarcity of clinical trials assessing the effects of medications in children with BD. Moreover, the frequent presence of comorbid ADHD might determine lower response to treatment. Aripiprazole is a novel anti-psychotic drug. Its mechanism of action seems to be related to a stabilization of dopaminergic transmission, acting as a partial agonist especially in dopaminergic D2 receptors. It also has effects in 5-HT1a serotonergic receptors. Thus, it might have a promising effect in children and adolescents with comorbid BD and ADHD. A retrospective chart review, recently published, suggests the efficacy of this drug in children with BD. This study aims to assess the efficacy of Aripiprazole (a novel anti-psychotic drug) for the treatment of 50 children and adolescents (age range: 08 to 17 years-old) with Bipolar Disorder comorbid with ADHD. The study design is an 6-week randomized, double blind, parallel group trial. Patients were randomized to either aripiprazole or placebo. The hypotheses are: 1) Aripiprazole will significantly reduce maniac scores compared to placebo; 2)Aripiprazole will significantly reduce ADHD scores compared to placebo; 3) Aripiprazole will not be significantly associated to weight gain compared to placebo.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age: 8-17
  • BD type I or II comorbid with ADHD
  • Baseline score in the YMRS > or = 20
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Exclusion Criteria
  • IQ < 70
  • Pharmacologic treatment in the last month
  • Pregnancy or absence of a contraceptive method in fertile girls
  • Diagnoses: pervasive development disorder, schizophrenia, drug abuse or dependency
  • Risk of suicide or homicide
  • Clinical condition that might interfere in the study
  • Known sensibility to aripiprazole
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Scores in the Young Mania Rating Scale (BD)
Scores in the SNAP-IV (ADHD)
Weight
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Scores in the CDRS
Scores in the CMRS-P
Scores in CGI
Scores in the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale
Scores of quality of life (YQOL-R)
Report of side events

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

ADHD outpatient program

🇧🇷

Porto Alegre - Brazil, RS, Brazil

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