Atomoxetine improved response inhibition in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Atomoxetine, a highly selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), shows efficacy in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared with psychostimulants, atomoxetine has a distinct mode of brain action and potentially lower addictive potential. Studies have yet to assess whether atomoxetine improves cognition following a single oral dose in ADHD.

METHODS:
Twenty-two adults with DSM-IV ADHD were administered a single oral dose of atomoxetine (60 mg) in a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover design. Cognitive effects were assessed using stop-signal, sustained attention, spatial working memory, and set-shifting paradigms. Normative cognitive data from 20 healthy volunteers were collected for comparison.

RESULTS:
The ADHD patients under placebo conditions showed response inhibition and working memory deficits compared with healthy volunteers. Atomoxetine treatment in the ADHD patients was associated with shorter stop-signal reaction times and lower numbers of commission errors on the sustained attention task.

CONCLUSIONS:
Atomoxetine improved inhibitory control, most likely via noradrenergically mediated augmentation of prefrontal cortex function. These results have implications for understanding the mechanisms by which atomoxetine exerts beneficial clinical effects and suggest novel treatment directions for other disorders of impulsivity.

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Author information

Author/s: Chamberlain, Samuel R (SR); Del Campo, Natalia (N); Dowson, Jonathan (J); Müller, Ulrich (U); Clark, Luke (L); Robbins, Trevor W (TW); Sahakian, Barbara J (BJ);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom. srchamb@gmail.com

Grants: 076274/z/04/z (Agency:United Kingdom Wellcome Trust)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Nov; vol 62 (issue 9) : pp 977-84

Dates: Created 2007/10/22; Completed 2008/01/09;

PMID: 17644072, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Administration, Oral
Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; blood
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Attention - drug effects
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy
Case-Control Studies
Cognition - drug effects
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method

Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Inhibition (Psychology)
Male
Memory, Short-Term - drug effects
Neuropsychological Tests
Propylamines - administration & dosage; blood
Reaction Time - drug effects
Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors (0) ; Propylamines (0) ; atomoxetine (83015-26-3)

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