ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Venlafaxine in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Nahit Motavalli Mukaddes , Osman Abali
Summarized by:
April 17, 2023
study source
Psychiatry Clin Neurosci
Feb 2004
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What they studied
This small study wanted to see whether venlafaxine could reduce ADHD symptoms in children.
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What they found
Researchers found that children who were given venlafaxine experienced improvements in ADHD symptoms. However, there was no control group.
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What this means
While the children did experience significant improvements, it is hard to judge the drug's effectiveness without a control group in this trial.
Venlafaxine in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Objectives
Researchers wanted to see whether venlafaxine, a medication approved for anxiety and depression, could reduce ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents.
Study Quote
The primary purpose of this study was to describe tolerability and efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods
They ran a small clinical trial on 13 children with ADHD. All the children received venlafaxine and were tested before and after treatment.
Study Quote
A 6-week open trial of venlafaxine was conducted in 13 children and adolescents (mean age 9.9 +/- 2.5 years) with ADHD, and without comorbid depression. Venlafaxine was initiated at a dose of 18.75 mg/day and flexibly titrated to 56.25 mg/day. The Conners parent scale and Clinical Global...
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Results
Researchers found that the children in the study experienced improvements in their ADHD symptoms after the treatment.
There was also evidence that their overall mental health was better as well.
There were some side effects, but most disappeared after two weeks.
Of note, the researchers did not use a control group as a comparison, which limits the usefulness of the data they gathered.
Study Quote
All subjects completed the trial. Mean final dose of venlafaxine was 40.3 +/- 7.0. Venlafaxine was significantly effective in reducing the total score of the Conners parent scale from baseline to endpoint (P < 0.002, Z =-3.113) and the CGI severity item (P < 0.05). Transient side-effects...
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Conclusions
This study provides weak evidence that venlafaxine may help reduce ADHD symptoms in children. However, without a control group, it’s impossible to know with certainty whether the effect seen in the study was due to the medication or the placebo effect.
What is the placebo effect?
Other studies have found evidence that venlafaxine may reduce ADHD symptoms, though more research is needed to confirm the findings.
One theory suggested by the authors regarding the mechanism of venlafaxine in ADHD is that venlafaxine may reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing noradrenaline in the brain:
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The role of venlafaxine in the improvement of cognitive function may be interpreted as a result of the noradrenergic activity of this agent.
Study Quote
These preliminary data suggest that venlafaxine may be an effective medication in the treatment of some children and adolescents with ADHD. Future double-blind controlled trials should be undertaken.