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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Pharmacotherapy—Past, Present, and Future: A Review of the Changing Landscape of Drug Therapy

  • Special Section on Pediatrics: Review
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Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobiological disorder in children. Efficacy of pharmacotherapy in treating ADHD symptoms has generally been considerable with at least three-fourths of individuals benefiting from pharmacotherapy, typically in the form of stimulants. In this review, we begin by briefly reviewing the history of pharmacotherapy in relation to ADHD, before focusing (primarily) on the state of the field on themes such as biophysiology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenomics. We conclude with a summary of emerging clinical and research studies, particularly the potential role for precision therapy in matching ADHD patients and drug types.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, Abramson Building 1216E, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    J. J. Connolly PhD, C. Kao PhD & H. Hakonarson MD, PhD

  2. Molecular Neurogenetics Unit and Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    J. T. Glessner PhD

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    J. Elia MD

  4. Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    J. Elia MD

  5. AI Dupont Hospital for Children, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    J. Elia MD

  6. Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    H. Hakonarson MD, PhD

Authors
  1. J. J. Connolly PhD
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  2. J. T. Glessner PhD
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  3. C. Kao PhD
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  4. J. Elia MD
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  5. H. Hakonarson MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Hakonarson MD, PhD.

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This study was presented at the Pediatric Research Conference, November 6–7, 2014

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Connolly, J.J., Glessner, J.T., Kao, C. et al. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Pharmacotherapy—Past, Present, and Future: A Review of the Changing Landscape of Drug Therapy. Ther Innov Regul Sci 49, 632–642 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479015599811

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479015599811

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