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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Modafinil in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Thomas A Rugino1, Teresa C Samsock

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA.

Pediatric Neurology
|October 29, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Modafinil significantly improved attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children, showing greater improvement than placebo. This study suggests modafinil as a viable ADHD treatment option, especially when stimulants are not tolerated.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Psychopharmacology

Background:

  • Clinical observations suggested modafinil's potential efficacy in managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in pediatric populations.
  • Stimulant medications are common ADHD treatments but can be limited by side effects like anorexia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of modafinil in treating ADHD in children using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
  • To compare the impact of modafinil versus placebo on ADHD symptom severity and overall clinical improvement.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 24 children diagnosed with ADHD.
  • Participants were evaluated before and after a 5- to 6-week treatment period using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and Conners Rating Scales.
  • Outcomes included changes in ADHD z scores, total t scores, and clinician-reported improvement levels.

Main Results:

  • The modafinil group demonstrated a significant improvement in TOVA ADHD z scores (2.53 S.D.s increase) compared to a decline in the placebo group (P < 0.02).
  • Conners Rating Scales ADHD total t scores improved significantly more in the modafinil group (76.6 to 68.2) than in the placebo group (77.7 to 76.0) (P = 0.04).
  • A higher proportion of children receiving modafinil (10/11) showed significant improvement versus placebo (3/11) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Modafinil appears to be an effective treatment for improving ADHD symptoms in children.
  • The medication was well-tolerated, with minimal and manageable adverse effects, notably no instances of anorexia.
  • Modafinil presents a promising alternative for pediatric ADHD management, particularly for individuals who cannot tolerate stimulant medications due to anorexia.

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