Treatment of attention deficit disorder with DL-phenylalanine.
Nineteen patients meeting the criteria for attention deficit disorder, residual type (adult hyperactivity), were given a 2-week double-blind crossover of DL-phenylalanine versus placebo. Thirteen subjects completed the study; the mean global rating of improvement approached significance as compared with placebo. A significant improvement was noted on mood and mood lability. The phenylalanine responders were then continued on open drug, but lost all positive benefits within 3 months. A later open trial of L-phenylalanine produced no clinical effect.
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D010649:Phenylalanine