Objective: We appraised whether FDA registration trials for ADHD pharmacotherapy in adults provides comparable information to inform treatment expectations. Method: Comparison of ADHD outcome measure patterns in ADHD pharmacotherapy FDA drug label source studies. Results: Among stimulants, from fixed-dose titration data, amphetamine agents had…

Objective: We examined how attributions of broad ambiguous desire symptoms (eg, irritability) and elaborations on specific substances (ie, caffeine/food) influence subsequent self-reported cravings for these substances. Participants: 346 undergraduates were randomized to attribute their ambiguous desire symptoms to a lack of caffeine, food, or a…

Objective: This study determined the frequency, reasons for, and side effects of energy drinks (ED) consumption among online students. Participants: Students attending an online university. Methods: Participants were recruited by email and completed a 59-question survey about their prior months ED practices using a combination of validated surveys…

Objective: Stimulant medications are the main treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but overall treatment efficacy in adults has less than a 60% response rate. This study aimed to identify neural and cognitive markers predictive of longitudinal improvement in response to stimulant treatment in drug-naïve adults with ADHD.…

Objective: To determine if treatment of co-occurring adult ADHD and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) with extended-release mixed amphetamine salts (MAS-ER) would be effective at improving ADHD symptoms and promoting abstinence. Method: A 12-week randomized, double-blind, two-arm pilot feasibility trial of adults with comorbid ADHD and CUD (n = 28)…

Objective: To examine prescription stimulant use among college students, particularly use with versus without prescriptions or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) diagnoses. Participants: Data were drawn from a diverse sample of college students from seven colleges/universities in Georgia…

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly the a7 nAChR, are implicated in the pathophysiology of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and aggressive behavior. We explored the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of targeting nAChRs using transdermal nicotine to reduce aggressive symptoms in adults with ASD. Eight…

Objective: This study examined differences in substance use, depression, and academic functioning among ADHD and non-ADHD college students. Participants: Included 1,748 students (ages 18-25; women 68.4%; Caucasian 71.3%) with and without history of ADHD. Methods: We assessed the relationship of ADHD to substance use variables, controlling for…

Objective: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are increasingly attending college. This case report highlights the nature of the psychiatric difficulties these individuals may face and the potential role for college mental health practitioners. Participants: A case of a female student with ASD presenting with significant inattentive…

This randomized clinical trial of methylphenidate in children with intellectual disability (ID) by Simonoff et al. (2013) advances the field in several ways useful to clinicians. The large ("N" = 122) widely representative sample more definitively confirms findings previously reported from smaller studies and studies with a differently…

Objective: The goal of this study was to (a) investigate the association between nonprescription stimulant use (NPSU) and risky behaviors, including risky sex, driving, financial behaviors, and drug use and (b) collect preliminary evidence on mechanisms that may link NPSU to risky behaviors. Participants: A sample of 555 college students was…

The available literature provides few studies on the effectiveness of methylphenidate in improving quality of life in individuals with ADHD. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Methyphenidate OROS formulation (OROS MPH) through QoL in adults with ADHD. Method: A 12-week, multicenter, open-label trial involving 60 patients was used. The…

To evaluate the relative efficacy of two reading programs with and without adjunctive stimulant medication for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid reading disorder (ADHD+RD). Sixty-five children (7-11 years in age) were assigned randomly to one of three intensive remedial academic programs (phonologically or…

Many children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) exhibit behaviors and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We sought to determine the relative efficacy of medications for treating ADHD symptoms in children with PDD by identifying all double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials examining the efficacy of…

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world and currently the only one legally available to children and adolescents. The sale and use of caffeinated beverages has increased markedly among adolescents during the last decade. However, research on caffeine use and behaviors among adolescents is scarce. We investigate the…