Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
A prospective open trial of guanfacine in children with pervasive developmental disorders
Lawrence Scahill1, Michael G Aman, Christopher J McDougle
1Yale Child Study Center, P.O. Box 207900, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. lawrence.scahill@yale.edu
Insights
Guanfacine shows promise in reducing hyperactivity in children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). This pilot study suggests it may be a viable treatment option for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Hyperactivity is a common challenge for children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
- Previous treatments, such as methylphenidate, may not be effective for all children with PDD and hyperactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the preliminary efficacy of guanfacine in managing hyperactivity in children diagnosed with PDD.
- To gather initial data on guanfacine's effectiveness in a pediatric population with PDD.
Main Methods:
- An open-label trial was conducted involving children with PDD and hyperactivity.
- Participants had a history of methylphenidate treatment failure or lack of improvement.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in parent- and teacher-rated hyperactivity were observed after 8 weeks of guanfacine treatment (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively).
- 48% of children showed substantial improvement on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale.
- Common side effects included irritability and sedation; no significant changes in vital signs were noted.
Conclusions:
- Guanfacine demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for treating hyperactivity in children with PDD.
- Further placebo-controlled research is recommended to confirm these findings and inform clinical guidelines.
Objective:
A common complaint for children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is hyperactivity. The purpose of this pilot study was to gather preliminary information on the efficacy of guanfacine in children with PDD and hyperactivity.
Methods:
Children with PDD accompanied by hyperactivity entered the open-label trial if there was a recent history of failed treatment with methylphenidate or the child did not improve on methylphenidate in a multisite, placebo-controlled trial.
Results:
Children (23 boys and 2 girls) with a mean age of 9.03 (+/-3.14) years entered the open-label trial. After 8 weeks of treatment, the parent-rated Hyperactivity subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) went from a mean of 31.3 (+/-8.89) at baseline to 18.9 (+/-10.37) (effect size = 1.4; p < 0.001). The teacher-rated Hyperactivity subscale decreased from a mean of 29.9 (+/-9.12) at baseline to 22.3 (+/-9.44) (effect size = 0.83; p < 0.01). Twelve children (48%) were rated as Much Improved or Very Much Improved on the Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement. Doses ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 mg/day in two or three divided doses. Common adverse effects included irritability, sedation, sleep disturbance (insomnia or midsleep awakening), and constipation. Irritability led to discontinuation in 3 subjects. There were no significant changes in pulse, blood pressure, or electrocardiogram.
Conclusions:
Guanfacine may be useful for the treatment of hyperactivity in children with PDD. Placebo-controlled studies are needed to guide clinical practice.
