Current Pharmacological Treatments for ADHD

Groom, Madeleine J.; Cortese, Samuele

doi:10.1007/7854_2022_330

Madeleine J. Groom⁹ &
Samuele Cortese^{10,11,12,13,14}

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 57))

5031 Accesses
10 Citations
7 Altmetric

Abstract

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition associated with impaired function and increased risk of poor outcomes in children, young people and adults with the condition. Currently approved pharmacological treatments for ADHD include a range of stimulant (methylphenidate, amphetamine) and nonstimulant (atomoxetine, guanfacine, clonidine) medications. All have been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD and improving other functional outcomes including quality of life, academic performance, rates of accidents and injuries, and do not appear to be associated with significant adverse outcomes or side effects. In this chapter, we review medications for ADHD by summarising the mechanisms of action of each of the two main classes of compounds (stimulants and nonstimulants), the formulations of the most commonly prescribed medications within each class, their efficacy in treating ADHD symptoms and other outcomes, and other factors that influence treatment decisions including side effects and tolerability, comorbidities and medical history. We conclude with a summary of the treatment decisions made by clinicians and suggest some next steps for research. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action of these medications and how exactly they improve symptoms, and to examine their effects on commonly occurring comorbidities.

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Abbreviations

ADHD:: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
AMP:: Amphetamine
ASD:: Autism spectrum disorder
ATX:: Atomoxetine
BP:: Blood pressure
CD:: Conduct disorder
CLON:: Clonidine
CNS:: Central nervous system
CNV:: Copy number variation
DA:: Dopamine
DAT:: Dopamine transporter
EF:: Executive functions
FDA:: Food and Drug Administration (USA)
GXR:: Guanfacine – extended release
HR:: Heart rate
HRQoL:: Health-related quality of life
LC:: Locus coeruleus
LDX:: Lisdexamfetamine
MAO:: Monoamine oxidase
MPH:: Methylphenidate
MR:: Magnetic resonance
MRI:: Magnetic resonance imaging
NE:: Norepinephrine
NET:: Norepinephrine transporter
NICE:: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK)
ODD:: Oppositional defiant disorder
PFC:: Prefrontal cortex
QoL:: Quality of life
RCT:: Randomised controlled trial
RTV:: Reaction time variability
SNP:: Single nucleotide polymorphism
SUD:: Substance use disorder
WHO:: World Health Organisation
WM:: Working memory

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Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Madeleine J. Groom
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Center for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Samuele Cortese
Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Samuele Cortese
Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
Samuele Cortese
Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA
Samuele Cortese
Centre for ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Samuele Cortese

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Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
S Clare Stanford
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
Emma Sciberras

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Groom, M.J., Cortese, S. (2022). Current Pharmacological Treatments for ADHD. In: Stanford, S.C., Sciberras, E. (eds) New Discoveries in the Behavioral Neuroscience of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 57. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2022_330

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2022_330
Published: 30 April 2022
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-11801-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-11802-9
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