Cited by 830Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderBehavioral and Psychological StudiesDevelopmental and Educational Neuropsychology

Pharmacotherapy of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder across the Life Cycle

SPENCER, THOMAS, BIEDERMAN, JOSEPH, WILENS, TIMOTHY, HARDING, MARGARET, O'DONNELL, DEBORAH, GRIFFIN, SUSAN·1996·Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the scope of the available therapeutic armamentarium in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Method The literature of medication trials in ADHD was systematically reviewed, with attention to issues of psychiatric comorbidity, age, gender, and ethnic background.Results One hundred fifty-five controlled studies of 5,768 children, adolescents, and adults have documented the efficacy of stimulants in an estimated 70% of subjects. The literature clearly documents that stimulants not only improve abnormal behaviors of ADHD, but also self-esteem, cognition, and social and family function. However, response varied in different age groups and with certain comorbid conditions. In addition, there is an impressive body of literature documenting the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants on ADHD in more than 1,000 subjects. Studies of alternative antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives, and other compounds were also reviewed.Conclusions The available literature indicates the important role of psychopharmacological agents in the reduction of the core symptoms of ADHD and associated impairments. More research is needed on alternative pharmacological treatments and to further evaluate established therapeutics beyond school-age Caucasian boys. In addition, more research is needed on the efficacy of treatment for comorbid ADHD, use of combined medications, and the combination of medication and psychosocial treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00004583-199604000-00008

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18 of 18 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
SPENCER, T., BIEDERMAN, J., WILENS, T., HARDING, M., O'DONNELL, D., & GRIFFIN, S.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
SPENCER, THOMAS
Venue
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1996-04
Volume
35
Issue
4
Pages
409-432
ISSN
0890-8567 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2006058627
Cited by
830
References
18
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 24
FWCI
7.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, pharmacotherapy, stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants, psychiatric comorbidity, age differences in treatment response, gender differences, ethnic differences, adult ADHD
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Antidepressive Agents, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child, Preschool, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Male, Sex Factors, Antipsychotic Agents

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