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Atomoxetine (Strattera) Improves Executive Function in ADHD Patients: Presented at CPA

By Steve Pridgeon

VANCOUVER, CANADA -- November 10, 2005 -- Self-reported and parent-reported measures demonstrate improved executive function in children and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to research presented here at the 55^th annual conference of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA).

Lead investigator Thomas E. Brown, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, and Associate Director, Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, presented the findings on November 4^th.

ADHD symptoms and efficacy of treatment are usually assessed with measures based solely on behaviourally-based criteria as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Revision IV, Dr. Brown said. However, many authors consider that impairments in executive function are also central to the deficits associated with ADHD.

Dr. Brown and colleagues performed a cluster of studies of executive function in patients with ADHD treated with atomoxetine. Three of the studies were placebo-controlled investigations of atomoxetine in children, and lasted 6 to 8 weeks. The fourth study, which lasted 6 weeks, examined adults aged 18 to 50 years. The total number of patients was 856.

The primary outcome measure in the child studies was the ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent Scale-Investigator Rated: Screening Version Total ADHD Symptom Score. For the adult study, investigators used the Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated: Screening Version Total ADHD Symptom Score. The secondary measure in the paediatric trials was the Brown ADD scale, a normed parent-report/self-report measure of executive function impairments.

In all the paediatric studies, results showed that atomoxetine was significantly more effective than placebo in improving executive function, both overall (P < .001) and at each week measured (P < .001 in two studies, P < .05 in one study).

Significant improvements from baseline were seen in the adult study for the total symptom score and for each subscale -- Hyperactive/Impulsive (P < .001) and Inattention (P < .001).

Significant treatment-related improvements compared to placebo were noted in the Brown ADD scale in two of the three paediatric studies. Brown ADD scores improved significantly from baseline in the adult study (P < .001).

The researchers concluded that atomoxetine demonstrated efficacy in reducing signs and symptoms of ADHD in children and adults. "Atomoxetine also improved a wide range of executive function impairments in children and adults with ADHD," they noted.

This presentation was funded by Eli Lilly and company.


[Presentation title: Atomoxetine Improves Executive Function Impairment Associated with ADHD. Abstract P-32]

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