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Cited by 228Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderSchizophrenia research and treatmentNeuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations

Six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of desipramine for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

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Timothy E. Wilens, Joseph Biederman, J Prince, Thomas J. Spencer, Stephen V. Faraone, R Warburton, David Schleifer, M Harding +2 more·1996·American Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1176/ajp.153.9.1147
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, there are a limited number of controlled pharmacologic studies of this disorder; most of the trials have focused on the psychostimulants. Because the tricyclic anti-depressant desipramine has been found to be effective in treating ADHD in pediatric groups, the authors tested its efficacy in adults with ADHD. METHOD: The authors conducted a randomized, 6-week, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study of desipramine at a target daily dose of 200 mg in 41 adult patients with DSM-III-R ADHD. They used standardized structured psychiatric instruments for diagnosis and, as the dependent variables (outcome), used separate assessments of ADHD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms at baseline and at each biweekly visit. RESULTS: There were highly significant differences in the reduction of ADHD symptoms between adults receiving desipramine and placebo. Within the desipramine-treated group, there were clinically and statistically significant differences between baseline and the week 6 end point for 1) reduction of 12 of 14 symptoms of ADHD and 2) decreases in the broad categories of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. In contrast, placebo-treated patients showed no differences between baseline and end point for any of the ADHD symptoms assessed. According to strict, predefined criteria for response, 68% of desipramine-treated subjects and no subjects in the placebo group were considered positive responders. Response to desipramine was independent of dose, level of impairment, gender, or lifetime psychiatric comorbidity with anxiety or depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: These results, similar to findings in children and adolescents with ADHD, indicate that desipramine is effective in the treatment of ADHD in adults.

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Authors
Wilens, T. E., Biederman, J., Prince, J., Spencer, T. J., Faraone, S. V., Warburton, R., Schleifer, D., Harding, M., Linehan, C., & GELLER, D. A.
Affiliations
Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published
1996-09
Volume
153
Issue
9
Pages
1147-1153
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
DOI
10.1176/ajp.153.9.1147
OpenAlex
W10325908
Cited by
228
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 9
FWCI
6.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • SUNY Digital Repository Support (State University of New York System) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH-011175)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
Keywords
desipramine, adult ADHD, tricyclic antidepressants, ADHD medication, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Ambulatory Care, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Mental Disorders, Child, Depressive Disorder, Desipramine, Double-Blind Method, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Placebos, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Severity of Illness Index, Social Class, Wechsler Scales, Comorbidity, Treatment Outcome

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