Current controversies

The use of stimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD remains controversial. Pressure groups opposed to the use of medication frequently cite arguments which suggest that the troubles faced by children labelled as having ADHD are, in fact, the result of stimulant medication and that the use of stimulants in children leads to increased levels of substance misuse. It is certainly true that some children may have suffered adverse events as a result of being overmedicated, but recent studies have demonstrated clear neuropsychological deficits in children with ADHD who have never been exposed to psychostimulants or other psychoactive medications (Reference Coghill, Rhodes and ThrowerCoghill et al, 2001). Studies into the relationship between ADHD and substance misuse have shown that there are not only similarities but also important differences between methylphenidate and other drugs of misuse such as cocaine. For example, Reference Volkow, Ding and FowlerVolkow et al(1995) describe an elegant series of studies demonstrating that, although these two drugs have similar mechanisms of action, the very different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of low-dose oral methylphenidate are likely to limit its potential as a drug of misuse. Clinical studies also suggest that, rather than increase the risk for later substance misuse, stimulant treatment seems to have a protective effect (e.g. Reference Biederman, Wilens and MickBiederman et al, 1999). For those wishing to read more about the basic science of stimulant medications and ADHD, much of this research is described in more detail by Reference Solanto, Arnsten and CastellanosSolanto et al(2001).

Recent findings from the MTA study

The publication at the end of 1999 of the primary findings from the USA's National Insitute for Mental Health Collaborative Multisite Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (the MTA study; MTA Cooperative Group, 1999a , b ) and the ensuing commentaries on and criticisms of the study marked a milestone in child and adolescent psychiatry research. The MTA study's primary findings have been well reported and discussed, both professionally and in the media. Over the past year, several further papers have been published by the group, extending their original findings. Four of these publications are of particular relevance to this discussion: Reference Conners, Epstein and MarchConners et al(2001), Reference Swanson, Kraemer and HinshawSwanson et al(2001), Reference Greenhill, Swanson and VitielloGreenhill et al(2001) and Reference Vitiello, Severe and GreenhillVitiello et al(2001).

Outcomes of the MTA study

Although it is now generally accepted that medication can play an important part in the management of ADHD, one of the most difficult decisions facing clinicians planning and delivering services for children and young people with ADHD continues to be whether to offer a mainly pharmacological treatment package or a more-expensive and time-consuming package of combined psychosocial and pharmacological treatments. This was one of the primary questions addressed by the MTA group and it resulted in one of the study's more controversial conclusions that, despite there being a pattern of non-significant superiority for the combined treatment over the medication-only treatment on most of the outcome measures, ‘combined behavioural intervention and stimulant medication –multi-modal treatment, the current gold standard for ADHD interventions – yielded no statistically significant greater benefits than medication management for core ADHD symptoms’ (Reference Conners, Epstein and MarchConners et al, 2001). This primary analysis measured outcome across a wide range of domains utilising a total of 19 different outcome measures. An analysis using multiple outcome measures may be of benefit in revealing specific patterns of outcome from the different treatment approaches, but it is generally accepted that limiting a clinical trial to a single outcome measure is usually a more appropriate option (Box 1).

In an attempt to address this issue, which can be interpreted as a flaw in the design of the MTA study, Reference Conners, Epstein and MarchConners et al(2001) conducted a post hoc analysis of the study using a single composite measure of treatment outcome derived from the mean scores on several of the standardised parent and teacher measures. This composite included ratings of externalising and internalising symptoms and of social skills. The resulting analysis confirmed most of the MTA results but found that, although the effect size for combined treatment v. medication-only management was the same as that previously reported (0.28, in the low-to-moderate range), this difference was now statistically significant. They concluded that, ‘with the overall measure used in this analysis, combined multi-modal therapy has a clinically meaningful and statistically significant advantage over monotherapies and community treatments’.

Reference Swanson, Kraemer and HinshawSwanson et al(2001) also reanalysed the MTA data, this time using a categorical outcome measure, based on summed parent and teacher ratings of core ADHD and oppositional-defiant disorder symptoms, which defined children as ‘successfully’ or ‘unsuccessfully’ treated. They reported differences in success rate between the four groups (combined: 68%; medication only: 56%; behavioural only: 34%; community care: 25%) and also demonstrated a small but statistically significant effect of combined treatment over the medication-alone treatment. Interestingly, there were also unexpected but clear differences in outcome, depending on which site children were treated. At three sites, the behavioural treatment was better than the community treatment and at three sites the reverse was true. Thus, substituting the MTA behavioural treatment package for community care (which included the use of stimulant medication in approximately 60% of cases) may result in a positive or negative impact, depending on local conditions and clinical practice.

These analyses clearly add colour and help to clarify some of the messages from the MTA study. It is, however, important to note that they were both post hoc analyses which involved altering the end point of the trial after it had been run and they should not be seen as undoing the results of the original analysis, based on the a priori hypotheses and decision to use multiple outcomes.

What can be learnt from the MTA medication management protocol?

Two further papers from the MTA study have given us insights into the rational prescribing of stimulant medication (Reference Greenhill, Swanson and VitielloGreenhill et al, 2001; Reference Vitiello, Severe and GreenhillVitiello et al, 2001). These papers are particularly important when considering how aspects of the MTA medication protocol, which was clearly much more effective than the community treatments, could be incorporated into day-to-day clinical practice. Greenhill and colleagues analysed the MTA data set to investigate aspects of the intensive 28-day double-blind, placebo-controlled methylphenidate titration used in the trial. Vitiello and colleagues examined the trajectory of methylphenidate dosage over time in the MTA children, in order to assess how well the titration was able to predict the doses required for effective long-term treatment. The key findings from both studies, which provide useful insights into starting children on stimulant medication, are summarised in Box 2. One thing to note when looking at these results is that they are almost certainly affected by the treatment algorithm used in the study, which aimed for maximal effect with ‘no room for improvement’ and allowed a dose decrease only for moderate-to-severe side effects. Thus, clinicians were not allowed to test whether improvement could be maintained on a lower dose.

New stimulant preparations

The short half-lives (methylphenidate about 3 hours, dexamphetamine about 10 hours) of stimulant medications and their short duration of action (about 4 hours) when given as immediate-release preparations, give rise to a number of problems (Box 3). Although no long-acting preparations of stimulant medication are currently available in the UK, they have been available in the USA for over 10 years. Unfortunately, these wax-matrix-based preparations have not proved to be as effective as the immediate release preparations and they have been used by clinicians much less than was expected. They have a delayed onset of action, result in lower peak plasma levels, and are typified by a tailing off in plasma concentration after peaking at 3 hours. The problems associated with these preparations may be partly explained by a series of studies carried out by Reference Swanson, Gupta and GuintaSwanson et al(1999). They demonstrated that, when given three times a day, afternoon doses of methylphenidate result in an attenuated response compared with the same dose given in the morning. This has been interpreted as demonstrating the development of acute tolerance, which wears off by the next day, although there may be other explanations such as a diurnal variation in either symptoms or drug response.

These problems, allied with the changes in US legislation noted above, have led to intense activity within the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in the development of new modified-release stimulant preparations. There are no claims that treatment of the core symptoms of ADHD with these newer preparations is superior to treatment with their immediate-release counterparts, that they have been designed to be taken once a day, eliminating the need for multiple daily dosing for many patients. Four new long-acting psychostimulant preparations have been approved by the FDA for use in the USA and one of these (Concerta ®) has been licensed for use in the UK. It is likely that one or more of the other preparations licensed in the US will also become available in the UK in the not-too-distant future. Each preparation has its own particular qualities, mainly related to the length of clinical response (Table 1). The preparation available in the UK utilises a novel drug-delivery system designed to be given once a day by means of the caplet's osmotic pump, with a timed drug-delivery system producing an ascending-pattern plasma drug level through the day. This is intended to counterbalance the acute tolerance that is thought to develop during the afternoon.

Table 1

New modified-release preparations licensed for the treatment of ADHD in the USA

Medication	Dose (mg)	Dose range (mg/day)	Peak effect (hours)	Duration of action (hours)	Published evidence of efficacy and safety
Methylphenidates
OROS-methylphenidate (Concerta ®)	18; 36; 54	18–54	8	12	Reference Keating, McClellan and JarvisKeating et al (2001); Reference Pelham, Gnagy and Burrows-MacleanPelham et al (2001); Reference Wolraich, Greenhill and PelhamWolraich et al (2001)
Metadate CD ®	20	20–60	5	8	Anonymous (2001b)
Ritalin LA ®	20	20–60	5	8	None available
Amphetamines
Adderall XR™	10; 20; 30	10–40	1–4	10–12	Reference GrcevichGrcevich (2001); Reference Greenhill, Findling and SwansonGreenhill et al (2002)

A transdermal preparation of methylphenidate has also been developed as a once-a-day patch and, if successful, this may produce more sustained levels of methylphenidate with a greater consistency in therapeutic response, low misuse potential and enhanced compliance. Peer-reviewed papers on this delivery system have yet to appear. Lastly, it has now become clear that pharmacological effects of methylphenidate are almost completely due to the d-threo isomer (Reference Kimko, Cross and AbernethyKimko et al, 1999). This has led to the production and licensing in the USA of a dexmethylphenidate preparation that comprises only this active isomer.

Non-stimulant treatments for ADHD

In addition to the difficulties that arise from the need to take multiple doses during the day, it is estimated that up to 30% of children with ADHD either do not respond to or cannot tolerate stimulant medications. This has led to a search for alternative, non-stimulant treatments. There is a strong literature stretching back many years supporting the efficacy of the tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of ADHD. The evidence for other non-stimulant treatments such as clonidine and bupropion is, however, limited to a few clinical trials with relatively small numbers. Despite this, these treatments are frequently mentioned in the published treatment protocols and algorithms. The literature on the safety, efficacy and use of these medications has been reviewed by Reference Biederman and SpencerBiederman & Spencer (2000).

Several new and promising non-stimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD are currently undergoing clinical trials. Atomoxetine (a specific noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor that failed trials as an antidepressant) has been shown to be effective and safe in treating ADHD in both adults (Reference Spencer, Biederman and WilensSpencer et al, 1998) and children (Reference Michelson, Faries and WernickeMichelson et al, 2001; Spencer et al, 2001). It has also been shown to have a low misuse potential. Work has also been carried out exploring the effects of nicotinic drugs in the treatment of adult ADHD. A small open trial of nicotine patches (Reference Conners, Levin and SparrowConners et al, 1996; Reference Levin, Conners and SilvaLevin et al, 1998) and an exploratory randomised controlled trial of ABT–418, a central nervous system nicotinic agonist, also delivered via a transdermal system (Reference Wilens, Biederman and SpencerWilens et al, 1999), reported positive results, and it seems likely that in the next few years there will be several non-stimulant options available for treating ADHD.

Guidelines and protocols for managing ADHD

Aspects of the MTA study and other recent research have already had a profound influence on the development of clinical practice guidelines for the management of ADHD in both the UK and the USA (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 2000; Reference Hill and TaylorHill & Taylor, 2001; Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, 2001; American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2002). There are now more similarities than differences between guidance to clinicians on each side of the Atlantic, although the UK guidance is still likely to lead to fewer children being started on medication than in the USA. Although the evidence suggests that stimulant medication is almost certainly the most powerful treatment for core ADHD symptoms, as stated by Reference Santosh and TaylorSantosh & Taylor (2000) in their excellent and comprehensive review of the use of stimulant medication, ‘the most powerful therapy is not always the one to choose’.

Depression

The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly cognitive–behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, has been demonstrated in the treatment of many children and adolescents with depressive symptoms and mild-to-moderate depressive episodes. However, owing to the limited availability of trained cognitive and interpersonal therapists and the fact that a psychotherapeutic approach is sometimes unsuitable or ineffective, pharmacological treatments often need to be considered.

A recent Cochrane review (Reference Hazell, O'Connell and HeathcoteHazell et al, 2000) has confirmed previous findings that tricyclic antidepressants are unlikely to be of benefit in the treatment of depression in pre-pubertal children and that, although there is marginal evidence to support their use in the treatment of depression in adolescents, benefits are likely to be moderate, at best. In view of the relative ineffectiveness of the tricyclics and the serious adverse events associated with their use, particularly in overdose, there has been a rapid increase in the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children and adolescents. This increased use has outstripped the evidence base. There are, to date, only two published randomised controlled trials of SSRIs: one with fluoxetine and the other with paroxetine (Reference Emslie, Rush and WeinbergEmslie et al, 1997; Reference Keller, Ryan and StroberKeller et al, 2001). Both of these studies reported a positive response, at least over the short term, and low levels of adverse events. Numerous open-label studies support the efficacy of various SSRIs and several industry-sponsored trials are currently underway. It seems likely that, as all of the SSRIs have similar mechanisms of action, they will all prove of use in the treatment of early-onset depression. Other atypical antidepressants that have some preliminary support for use in this population are venlafaxine, which has both serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitory properties; nefazadone, a potent 5-HT_2a postsynaptic antagonist and moderate serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor; and bupropion, an atypical antidepressant with an unclear mechanism of action that has partial inhibitory effects on noradrenaline and dopamine. It is too early to say whether or not these drugs will fulfil these early expectations. The recent literature on treatment of early-onset depression has been well reviewed by Reference Martin, Kaufman and CharneyMartin et al(2000).

What is clear is that not all children and adolescents with depression respond to treatment with SSRIs. For example, in Reference Emslie, Rush and WeinbergEmslie et al's (1997) study, complete symptomatic remission was uncommon across all arms of the study, and seen in only one-third of the patients in the fluoxetine arm. There was also a high relapse rate during the first year: of those who initially recovered, 39% had a relapse during the 1-year follow-up period. It is estimated that, overall, at least 40% of children and adolescents with depression will fail to respond to an initial trial with an SSRI. This rate of response failure is similar to the rates reported in cognitive–behavioural therapy studies. Although there is, as yet, no empirical evidence for managing treatment-resistant child and adolescent patients, some guidance can be offered (Box 4). The Children's Medication Algorithm Project has developed a treatment algorithm for early-onset depression which is a useful guide for clinicians (Reference Hughes, Emslie and CrismonHughes et al, 1999). A major study entitled the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA), sponsored by the US National Institute of Mental Health, is utilising several of the strategies detailed in Box 4 in an attempt to find empirical answers to many of the questions in this area (http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/Tordia).

Psychotherapeutic and pharmacological therapies seem to be roughly similar in potency for treating early-onset depression, but there are no head-to-head comparisons of these two approaches, nor is there any information about the relative effectiveness of a combined-treatment approach in contrast to either approach used alone. Large multi-site studies are currently being carried out in the UK and USA in an attempt to answer these questions.

Manic episodes and bipolar affective disorder

There are now many published papers, mostly from the USA, on the pharmacological treatment of early-onset bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, this literature is difficult to untangle. Many of the problems arise from disagreements on the most appropriate way to apply current diagnostic criteria, designed for use in adults, to children and adolescents. This has led to uncertainty over how best to define caseness and uncertainty about prevalence. Studies on adults with bipolar disorder estimate that between 20% and 54% report onset of symptoms during childhood (Reference Lish, Dime-Meenan and WhybrowLish et al, 1994). Data from community samples suggest that the lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder in adolescents is about 1%, with an additional 5% reporting a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood, not meeting criteria for bipolar disorder but resulting in significant impairment and associated with high levels of comorbidity (Reference Lewinsohn, Klein and SeeleyLewinsohn et al, (1995).

Manic episodes are notoriously difficult to diagnose with confidence in children and adolescents. The definitions regarding the severity of mania are unclear, leading to the blurring of diagnostic boundaries. The situation is further complicated by the fact that mania shares symptoms with other common disorders such as ADHD, depression and anxiety, including irritability, hyperactivity, poor judgement and reduced sleep.

In the UK, it is still rare to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but the situation in the USA is very different. The DSM–IV diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) of ‘bipolar disorder not otherwise specified’ is commonly used to diagnose adolescents presenting with exacerbations of disruptive behaviour, moodiness, low frustration tolerance and explosive anger, followed by guilt, hyperactivity, depression and difficulty sleeping at night. In children, this is often extended to chronic irritability and prolonged temper tantrums. Mood stabilisers are being used to target several of these symptoms for children who, in the UK, would be more likely to be given other diagnostic labels. It seems likely that the ‘truth’ is somewhere in the middle, but it is simply not yet clear exactly where the line should be drawn. Further discussion of this problem is beyond the scope of this article but is well reviewed by Reference James and JavaloyesJames & Javaloyes (2001).

Therefore it is often difficult to know exactly which patients have been included in clinical trials for the treatment of early-onset bipolar disorder and how this should be translated into clinical practice. Notwithstanding these difficulties, it does seem to be the case that true manic episodes are difficult to modify without medication. Case series and open-label trials have provided some evidence for the efficacy of lithium, valproic acid (divalproex in the USA) and carbamazepine in the treatment of early-onset mania (Reference Davanzo and McCrackenDavanzo & McCracken, 2000). On the basis of this evidence, these authors drew up a treatment algorithm and made several suggestions as to which drug should be considered for which patient (Box 5). Despite the rather flimsy nature of the evidence on which this guidance is based, it is helpful in deciding how to treat these difficult patients.