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Effect of therapeutic plasma concentrations of theophylline on behavior, cognitive processing, and affect in children
A Schlieper1, D Alcock, P Beaudry
1Department of Psychology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.
Insights
Theophylline did not significantly impact mood, behavior, or cognitive processing in children with asthma. However, some children, particularly those with existing attention issues, showed vulnerability to adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neuropsychopharmacology
Background:
- Asthma management in children often involves medications with potential side effects.
- Theophylline is a bronchodilator used for asthma, but its effects on cognitive function and behavior require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of theophylline on behavior, mood, and cognitive processing efficiency in children with moderate asthma.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, crossover study design was employed.
- Thirty-one children (8-12 years) with moderate asthma received theophylline and placebo in a crossover manner.
- Cognitive tests, self-report measures, and parent/teacher behavior ratings were used.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in mood, attention, activity levels, or cognitive processing across theophylline and placebo conditions.
- Significant individual variability in response to theophylline was noted.
- Children with pre-existing attentional or achievement problems were more susceptible to adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Theophylline, at therapeutic doses, does not appear to broadly affect cognitive processing or behavior in children with moderate asthma.
- Individual differences in sensitivity and potential vulnerability in specific subgroups warrant further research.
Abstract:
A double-blind, randomized, crossover study assessed the effects of theophylline on behavior, mood, and efficiency of cognitive processing. Thirty-one children aged 8 to 12 years with moderate asthma were randomly assigned to 10-day theophylline followed by placebo or to placebo followed by theophylline experimental conditions separated by 2-day washout periods. Theophylline plasma concentrations and pulmonary function tests were performed throughout the study. Cognitive functioning tests and self-report measures were administered at baseline and after each medication phase. Behavior ratings were obtained from parents and teachers. Parents' and teachers' ratings did not reflect a theophylline effect on attention or activity level; children's self-reports showed no changes in mood, and no statistically significant differences were found on measures of cognitive processing. Large individual differences in sensitivity to theophylline effects were present. Although most of the children tolerated theophylline well, those already having attentional or achievement problems appeared vulnerable to adverse effects. Individual response differences should be a focus of future studies.