Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Forty-one children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders, including Tourette disorder and comorbid ADHD, were studied in a 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Desipramine was titrated weekly up to 3.5 mg/kg per day. We rated ADHD and tic symptoms weekly and monitored adverse effects, laboratory findings, and cardiovascular parameters. RESULTS: Treatment with desipramine (mean total daily dose, 3.4 mg/kg per day) was well tolerated without meaningful adverse effects. Desipramine significantly reduced core symptoms of ADHD ( ADHD Rating Scale; 42% decrease from baseline relative to placebo, P<.001), with equal response in inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (P<.001 for both). The ADHD response rate was robust (71% vs 0%; desipramine vs placebo, P<.001). Likewise, desipramine significantly reduced tic symptoms (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale; 30% decrease from baseline relative to placebo, P<.001), with equal response in motor and phonic tic symptoms (P<.01 for both). The tic response rate was substantial (58% vs 5%; desipramine vs placebo, P<.001). There were small but statistically significant differences between desipramine and placebo in heart rate and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with desipramine was well tolerated and was associated with robust clinically significant reductions in tic and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders and ADHD diagnoses.
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Authors | Thomas Spencer, Joseph Biederman, Barbara Coffey, Daniel Geller, Margaret Crawford, Sarah Kate Bearman, Reem Tarazi, Stephen V Faraone |
Journal | Archives of general psychiatry
(Arch Gen Psychiatry)
Vol. 59
Issue 7
Pg. 649-56
(Jul 2002)
ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States |
PMID | 12090818
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
- Placebos
- Desipramine
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Age Factors
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Comorbidity
- Desipramine
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Placebos
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
(statistics & numerical data)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tic Disorders
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Treatment Outcome
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