Aripiprazole Added on for DMDD in Youths With ADHD

Tri-Service General Hospital58 enrolled

Overview

Objectives: 1. To investigate the effectiveness of adjuvant with aripiprazole to methylphenidate for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 2. To investigate the neural basis of chronic irritability in youths with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) 3. To compare the clinical characteristics of youths with comorbid ADHD and DMDD to youths with ADHD only

Background: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common clinical challenge and leads to severe impact and burden on both the patients and their family. Although methylphenidate (MPH) showed good efficacy in the treatment of ADHD, there is still lack of well-established pharmacological treatment for DMDD. Furthermore, little research focuses on the effect of pharmacological treatment on neural correlates of chronic irritability. Previous literature suggested the potential role of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of DMDD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of adjuvant of aripiprazole (APZ) to MPH in patients with comorbid ADHD and DMDD. In addition, the investigators explored the clinical manifestation and neural basis of DMDD using inventories, neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging studies. Methods: The investigators enrolled patients with ADHD+DMDD (n = 31) and ADHD only (n = 27). Those subjects were evaluated with inventories of emotional and behavioral problems, neuropsychological tests, as well as fMRI with challenging tests which aimed to induce frustration at baseline assessment. Then, subjects of ADHD+DMDD group received 6 weeks' combination treatment of MPH+ APZ with flexible dosage according to clinical judgment. All the initial evaluations were administered again after treatment. The comparison of clinical characteristics and neuroimaging findings between ADHD+DMDD group and ADHD only group will be conducted. In addition, the effectiveness of treatment will be analyzed. The effects of pharmacological treatment on neural correlates of chronic irritability will also be investigated.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Interventions

MPH + APZDRUG

MPH was administered with either Ritalin (from 10mg/day to 40mg/day) or Concerta (from 18mg/day to 36mg/day) according to clinical judgement for six weeks. APZ was administered with dose from 2.5mg/day to 5mg/day according to clinical judgement for six weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 7 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: For subjects with comorbid ADHD and DMDD: * Subject meets the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD and DMDD * Subject is free from prior psychotropic medication for at least one year For subjects with ADHD only : * Subject meets the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD and DMDD * Subject is free from prior psychotropic medication for at least one year Exclusion Criteria: * Patients not willing to participate in the study after detailed explanation * Patients who could not follow the investigator's instructions * Patients with severe neurological or mental illness such as epileptic disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mental retardation or uncontrolled suicide risk * Patients with severe medical illness or surgical conditions which were judged by investigators for safety concerns as inappropriate for this study, such as uncontrolled abnormal thyroid function, history of heart attack, uncontrolled hypertension. * Patients taking psychotropic medication within one year prior to the evaluation for entering our study * Patients being allergic to methylphenidate or aripiprazole * Female patients being pregnant, nursing, or lactating

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) subscale scores

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used caregiver report form identifying problem behavior in children. The patient is rated on 113 items scored on a 3-point Likert-type scale. CBCL consists of eight empirically-based syndrome subscales. The range of subscale scores (summed) are: Aggressive Behavior (0-36), Anxious/Depressed (0-26), Attention Problems (0-20), Rule-Breaking Behavior (0-34), Somatic Complaints (0-22), Social Problems (0-22), Thought Problems (0-30), and Withdrawn/Depressed (0-16). The higher score suggests the more severe symptoms.

Time frame: six weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Scale-version IV (SNAP-IV) total and subscale scores

The SNAP-IV is a widely used caregiver report form identifying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. The patient is rated on 26 items scored on a 4-point Likert-type scale. SNAP-IV consists of three subscales: inattention (items #1-#9, range of subscale summed score 0-27), hyperactivity/ impulsivity (items #11-#18, range of subscale summed score 0-27), and symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (items #19-#26, range of subscale summed score 0-24). The higher score suggests the more severe symptoms.

Time frame: six weeks

Beck Youth Inventories-II subscale scores

An self-reported inventory to evaluate children's and adolescents' emotional and social impairment. It includes five subscales: depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behaviour, and self-concept. Each subscale consists of 20 items, and each item is scored on a 4-point Likert-type scale. The range of each subscale scores (summed) is 0-60. The higher score suggests the more severe symptoms.

Time frame: six weeks

Conner's Continuous Performance Test

A task-based computerized assessment of attention problems and neurological functioning

Time frame: six weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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