Does Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Modify the Effects of Atomoxetine on ADHD Symptoms as Measured by a Continuous Performance Test and a Motion Tracking Device?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the reduction of ADHD symptoms under atomoxetine in patients with and without comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) using a computer-based continuous performance test (cb-CPT) combined with an infrared motion tracking (MT) device.

METHOD:

Secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled study in ADHD patients (6-12 years old) treated with atomoxetine (target dose: 1.2 mg/kg per day). Cb-CPT/MT scores were analyzed using ANCOVA (last observation carried forward [LOCF]).

RESULTS:

The data (N = 125) suggested a more pronounced atomoxetine effect in the group with comorbid ODD/CD as measured by all cb-CPT/MT parameters except for "normalized variation of reaction time" (nVRT).

CONCLUSION:

The results showed that atomoxetine reduced ADHD severity as measured by cb-CPT and MT parameters regardless of whether comorbid ODD/CD was present. The treatment effect of atomoxetine on hyperactivity appears to be more pronounced in the subgroup of patients with comorbid ODD/CD than in the subgroup without this comorbidity.

• Authors: Peter M Wehmeier, Laura Kipp, Tobias Banaschewski, Ralf W Dittmann, Alexander Schacht
• Journal: Journal of attention disorders (J Atten Disord) Vol. 19 Issue 7 Pg. 591-602 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1557-1246 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22930789 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2012 SAGE Publications.

Chemical References

• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
• Propylamines
• Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Atomoxetine Hydrochloride (therapeutic use)
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Comorbidity
• Conduct Disorder (epidemiology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Personality Assessment
• Propylamines (therapeutic use)
• Quality of Life (psychology)
• Reaction Time (drug effects)
• Treatment Outcome