Open-label amantadine in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the possible efficacy and tolerability of amantadine in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in stimulant-naïve children.


METHODS
Twenty four children (5-13 years old) with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) ADHD (4 inattentive, 2 hyperactive, and 18 combined type) entered a 6-week open-label treatment with amantadine (50-150 mg) given as a single morning dose. Parent and teacher ADHD rating scales and the parent Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were administered at baseline and at week 6.


RESULTS
Twenty three subjects completed the 6-week treatment. One child dropped out at week 2 because of persistent headache, and another 12 children reported adverse effects, most commonly transient appetite decrease. The parent ADHD score decreased from mean 41.04 +/- D 6.9 at baseline to 28.9 +/- 8.7 at week 6 (p < 0.001, effect size d = 1.5), and the teacher ADHD score from 35.8 +/- 9.6 to 26.2 +/- 9.5 (p < 0.001, effect size d = 1.0). Response rate (a 25% or greater decline in ADHD score) was 58% based on parents and 46% based on teachers.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that amantadine has acceptable acute tolerability at single doses up to 150 mg/day and is possibly efficacious in decreasing ADHD symptoms, although its activity appears to be more modest than that of stimulant medications.
Donfrancesco
Renato
R
Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, La Scarpetta Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Calderoni
Dario
D
Vitiello
Benedetto
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000547:Amantadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000547:Amantadine