Guanfacine in children with autism and/or intellectual disabilities
- PMID:18552703
- DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181739b9d
Guanfacine in children with autism and/or intellectual disabilities
Abstract
Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 3%-5% of typical school-age children. However, considerably higher rates of ADHD (15%-25%) are observed in children with intellectual disability and autism. Studies of psychostimulants in the latter two populations have found poorer response rates compared to typically developing children. In addition, evidence suggests that children with developmental disabilities experience higher rates of adverse events. Guanfacine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has shown some promise as an alternative to psychostimulants.
Methods: The present study involved a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of guanfacine in 11 children (ages 5-9 years) with developmental disabilities and symptoms of inattention/overactivity. The 6-week trial involved a maximum dose of 3 mg/day of guanfacine.
Results: Significant benefits were observed on the Hyperactivity subscale of the parent and teacher Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Global Improvement Ratings. No gains were noted on other ABC subscales. Five of the 11 subjects (45%) were judged to be responders based on a 50% decrease in the ABC Hyperactivity subscale score between the placebo and guanfacine conditions. Several side effects were reported, including drowsiness and irritability.
Conclusion: While guanfacine appears to be an alternative to psychostimulants among children with developmental disabilities, clinicians need to remain vigilant to the possibility of side effects.
Similar articles
- Guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a placebo-controlled trial.Sallee FR, McGough J, Wigal T, Donahue J, Lyne A, Biederman J; SPD503 STUDY GROUP.Sallee FR, et al.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Feb;48(2):155-65. doi: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e318191769e.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009.PMID:19106767Clinical Trial.
- Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of methylphenidate in pervasive developmental disorders with hyperactivity.Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network.Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Nov;62(11):1266-74. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.11.1266.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005.PMID:16275814Clinical Trial.
- A controlled trial of extended-release guanfacine and psychostimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Wilens TE, Bukstein O, Brams M, Cutler AJ, Childress A, Rugino T, Lyne A, Grannis K, Youcha S.Wilens TE, et al.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;51(1):74-85.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.012. Epub 2011 Nov 25.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012.PMID:22176941Clinical Trial.
- Guanfacine extended release as adjunctive therapy to psychostimulants in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Childress AC.Childress AC.Adv Ther. 2012 May;29(5):385-400. doi: 10.1007/s12325-012-0020-1. Epub 2012 May 18.Adv Ther. 2012.PMID:22610723Review.
- The role of alpha2-adrenergic agonists in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Sallee FR.Sallee FR.Postgrad Med. 2010 Sep;122(5):78-87. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2204.Postgrad Med. 2010.PMID:20861591Review.
Cited by
- Pharmacologic treatments for the behavioral symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan.Doyle CA, McDougle CJ.Doyle CA, et al.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012 Sep;14(3):263-79. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.3/cdoyle.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012.PMID:23226952Free PMC article.Review.
- Sex differences in guanfacine effects on stress-induced stroop performance in cocaine dependence.Milivojevic V, Fox HC, Jayaram-Lindstrom N, Hermes G, Sinha R.Milivojevic V, et al.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017 Oct 1;179:275-279. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.017. Epub 2017 Aug 10.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017.PMID:28823835Free PMC article.
- Changing patterns of alpha agonist medication use in children and adolescents 2009-2011.Fiks AG, Mayne SL, Song L, Steffes J, Liu W, McCarn B, Margolis B, Grimes A, Gotlieb E, Localio R, Ross ME, Grundmeier RW, Wasserman R, Leslie LK.Fiks AG, et al.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2015 May;25(4):362-7. doi: 10.1089/cap.2014.0122. Epub 2015 Apr 28.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2015.PMID:25919708Free PMC article.
- Emerging drugs for the treatment of symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders.Wink LK, Plawecki MH, Erickson CA, Stigler KA, McDougle CJ.Wink LK, et al.Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2010 Sep;15(3):481-94. doi: 10.1517/14728214.2010.487860.Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2010.PMID:20470188Free PMC article.Review.
- Autism spectrum disorder: advances in evidence-based practice.Anagnostou E, Zwaigenbaum L, Szatmari P, Fombonne E, Fernandez BA, Woodbury-Smith M, Brian J, Bryson S, Smith IM, Drmic I, Buchanan JA, Roberts W, Scherer SW.Anagnostou E, et al.CMAJ. 2014 Apr 15;186(7):509-19. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.121756. Epub 2014 Jan 13.CMAJ. 2014.PMID:24418986Free PMC article.Review.No abstract available.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical