Predicting methylphenidate response in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the methylphenidate (MPH) response rate among childhood survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and brain tumors (BTs) and to identify predictors of positive MPH response.


METHODS
Cancer survivors (N = 106; BT = 51 and ALL = 55) identified as having attention deficits and learning problems participated in a 3-week, double-blind, crossover trial consisting of placebo, low-dose MPH (0.3 mg/kg), and moderate-dose MPH (0.6 mg/kg). Weekly teacher and parent reports on the Conners' Rating Scales were gathered.


RESULTS
Following moderate MPH dose, 45.28% of the sample was classified as responders. Findings revealed that more problems endorsed prior to the medication trial on parent and teacher ratings were predictive of positive medication response (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
MPH significantly reduces attention problems in a subset of childhood cancer survivors. Parent and teacher ratings may assist in identifying children most likely to respond to MPH so prescribing may be optimally targeted.
Conklin
Heather M
HM
Division of Behavioral Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. heather.conklin@stjude.org
Helton
Susan
S
Ashford
Jason
J
Mulhern
Raymond K
RK
Reddick
Wilburn E
WE
Brown
Ronald
R
Bonner
Melanie
M
Jasper
Bruce W
BW
Wu
Shengjie
S
Xiong
Xiaoping
X
Khan
Raja B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate