title: The effects of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate on the driving performance of young adults with ADHD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a validated driving simulator paradigm.
abstract: Young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been shown to be at increased risk for impairment in driving behaviors. While stimulant medications have proven efficacy in reducing ADHD symptomatology, there is limited knowledge as to their effects on driving impairment. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) on driving performance in young adults with ADHD using a validated driving simulation paradigm. This was a randomized, double-blind, 6-week, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study of LDX vs. a placebo on driving performance in a validated driving simulation paradigm. Subjects were sixty-one outpatients of both sexes, 18-26 years of age, who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. Subjects were randomized to receive LDX or placebo after a baseline driving simulation and completed a second driving simulation six weeks after beginning drug or placebo. Examination of reaction time across five surprise events at post-treatment showed a significant positive effect of medication status. LDX treatment was also associated with significantly fewer accidents vs. placebo. LDX treatment was associated with significantly faster reaction times and a lower rate of simulated driving collisions than placebo. These results suggest that LDX may reduce driving risks in young adults with ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Research Programs in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114-3139, USA. jbiederman@partners.org
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biederman
authors.forename: Ronna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hammerness
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Surman
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mehler
authors.forename: Carter R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Petty
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Faraone
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bourgeois
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meller
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Godfrey
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reimer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine