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The Neuroprotective Effects of Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine in Children With ADHD: A Lipidomic Study

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03936491
Lead Sponsor
National Taiwan University Hospital
Brief Summary

1. To identify the difference in the lipidomic profiles between ADHD and controls;

2. To examine the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on the lipidomic profiles in ADHD, and the relationship between medication-related changes in the lipidomic profiles and medication-related improvements in the behavioral symptoms and neuropsychological functions;

3. To map medication-related lipidomic biomolecules to their respective metabolic pathways to identify the underlying mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine.

Detailed Description

Background: Although the efficacy of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in ADHD is well documented in clinical trials, more studies are needed to clarify the neuroprotective effects of these two medications. Lipids exert important neuroprotective effects for optimal brain development and functioning. Previous studies have demonstrated the significant connection between lipid dysregulation and the occurrence of ADHD. In addition, lipid dysregulation is closely related to the abnormal neural activity in individuals with ADHD. In this 3-year prospective project, we will perform a lipidomic analysis of blood before and after treatment with methylphenidate or atomoxetine, in order to identify the biological connections between the neuroprotective effects of medications and pathways of lipid metabolism in children with ADHD.

Subjects and Methods: 70 drug-naïve patients with ADHD, aged 6-18, and 35 matched typically developing controls will be recruited in this project. We will randomly assign the 70 ADHD patients to two groups, 35 in the methylphenidate group and 35 in the atomoxetine group. Within the 12-week treatment period, we will use ADHDRS-IV, SNAP-IV, CBCL, YSR, CGI-ADHD-S, CGI-ADHD-I, SAICA, and Family APGAR-C to assess the improvement in the behavioral symptoms, and CPT and CANTAB to assess the improvement in the neuropsychological functioning. The blood sample will be collected, and we will use mass spectrometry to assess the medication-related change in lipidomic profiles.

Anticipated Results: Using a prospective design, we anticipate that this study will delineate the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on the lipidomic profiles in patients with ADHD. Furthermore, we will conduct pathway analysis to obtain crucial insight to the lipidomic regulation in neurophysiology of children with ADHD. We expect that the findings will increase our understanding of the neuroprotective effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in patients with ADHD, and identify the psychopharmacological mechanism of medication effects in ADHD via the pathways of lipid metabolism and regulation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
105
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
MethylphenidateMethylphenidateThe subjects will receive methylphenidate according to their clinical symptoms
AtomoxetineAtomoxetineThe subjects will receive atomoxetine according to their clinical symptoms
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent version: Investigator-Administered and Scored (ADHDRS-IV)12 weeks

The first efficacy measure is the ADHDRS-IV, which is a scale composed of 18 items. The investigator will conduct a semi-structured interview with the parent to evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms in the past week. ADHDRS-IV is a valid and reliable tool to assess the severity of ADHD symptoms, which has been widely used in pharmacological studies of ADHD in Taiwanese populations. ADHDRS-IV will be administered from visit 1 through visit 5 (baseline-week 12).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale (SNAP-IV), Parent Form and Teacher Form12 weeks

The SNAP-IV is composed of the ADHD symptoms for the inattention (Items 1 to 9), the hyperactivity/impulsivity (Items 10 to 18), and the oppositional symptoms (Items 19 to 26). SNAP-IV has been proved to be a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms. The Chinese SNAP-IV has been used widely in the pharmacological studies on ADHD in Taiwanese populations. SNAP-IV will be administered from visit 1 through visit 5 (baseline-week 12).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital

🇨🇳

Taipei, Taiwan

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