Pharmacogenomics of Stimulant Treatment Response (PGx-STaR)

Summary

Stimulant medication (Biphentin®, Concerta®) are first-line treatment for children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but experiences with these treatments vary from child-to-child. Despite helping many youth, some who use stimulants experience minimal to no benefit, while others experience significant side effects. If a personalized prescribing strategy were available to improve the use of stimulants, we could prevent a lot of suffering and negative outcomes. Unlike other medications prescribed for mental health (e.g., antidepressants) that have genomic markers to guide prescribing, we have limited evidence to help similar personalized prescribing of stimulants. This study aims to identify genetic markers associated with stimulant response and side effects that could be used to improve prescribing and shorten the path to wellness for youth with ADHD.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other

Eligible ages: 6 to 17

Inclusion criteria:

1. Aged 6 – 17 years
2. Primary diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
3. Starting psychostimulant Methylphenidate (i.e., Biphentin or Concerta) treatment for the first time.
4. Medical records available

Exclusion criteria:

1. Co-occurring psychotic, bipolar, autism spectrum disorder, tics/tourettes, or eating disorder(s)
2. Significant risk of suicide
3. An intellectual disability diagnosis
4. Past 12-month high-risk alcohol or substance use defined as monthly or more frequent use
5. Enrolled in psychotherapy or brain stimulation-based therapy initiated within 8 weeks of referral, or plans to initiate/change these types of therapies during the study
6. Medically unstable or lacking capacity to provided informed consent
7. Unwillingness to provide saliva or blood sample for genetic analysis
8. History of liver or bone marrow (hematopoietic cell) transplant

Participate

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Method of contact

Collection of personal information
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Additional information

Contact information

Physician or self-referral accepted

Principal investigator:

Chad Bousman

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB23-0366