Continuous Follow-up of Methylphenidate Treatment for ADHD in children with Tourette Syndrome (2nd year)

Grant Type
Clinical
Grant Year
2006-2007
Institution Location
NY
Institution Organization Name
State University of New York
Investigators Name
Gadow, Kenneth, PhD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder. Research indicates that approximately one third of children with ADHD also have a chronic multiple tic disorder. Although ADHD symptoms are not significantly different in children with (+Tics) and without tics (-Tics), the presence of tics in association with ADHD indicates more severe co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and a risk for the development of other disorders. Prospective, longitudinal studies are the preferred tools used to correctly diagnose these disorders. This research assesses how symptoms of each disorder change over time in relation to each other and determines the impact of these disorders on a child’s future ability to function both socially and academically. However, with the exception of our ongoing investigation, there are no published studies of symptom assessments at regular intervals of children with chronic tic disorder with or without ADHD. This project is an extension of an ongoing, NIMHfunded program initially designed to primarily investigate short- and long-term safety and efficacy of Ritalin® therapy for ADHD in children with both ADHD and Tics. This funding will enable us to follow our preadolescent sample into adolescence by conducting follow-up assessments for an additional year. In addition, differences in response to Ritalin® treatment between children with ADHD and those with and without a tic disorder will be evaluated and developmental changes of symptoms will be assessed. We anticipate that learning about the clinical course and outcomes of children with ADHD/±Tics will aid in the development of targeted interventions to improve functioning of both patient groups, but especially those with ADHD/+Tics. Kenneth Gadow, Ph.D., Jayne Schneider, Ph.D. State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York Award: $30,396 (2nd Year) Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 2006-2007