Emerging drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are heterogeneous and often accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders. Although symptoms tend to lessen with age, many patients continue to be affected by the disorder into adulthood. Although many medications are available to treat ADHD, it is unlikely that a single medication will ever be developed to work for all patients. Recent advances, such as long-acting, extended-release formulations and transdermal delivery systems, have lengthened the duration of effectiveness, which has increased compliance and eliminated the need for additional medication dosing during the school or work day. Additional safe, well-tolerated, long-acting medications with further reduced potential for diversion and abuse are needed. Catecholamine pathways and their effect on executive functions and ADHD symptom control have been productive areas of research. Potential therapies such as adrenergic receptor agonists, glutamatergic agents, GABA receptor antagonists and nicotine receptor agonists are being explored as future pharmacotherapies for ADHD.

Keywords::

• ADHD
• amfetamine
• atomoxetine
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• guanfacine
• lisdexamfetamine
• methylphenidate
• pharmacotherapy

Disclosure

RH Weisler is an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He is or has been a consultant to, on the Speaker's Bureaus of and/or received research support from the National Institute of Mental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Abbott, AstraZeneca, Biovail, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cephalon, Corcept, CoMentis, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Forest, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Lundbeck, McNeil Pharmaceuticals, Medicinova, Merck, New River Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Organon, Pfizer, Saegis, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Schwabe, Shire, Solvay, Synaptic, TAP, UCB Pharma, Vela and Wyeth. He has also held or holds stocks in Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Cortex and Pfizer.

Acknowledgment

The author wishes to acknowledge Craig Ornstein for his contributions to this manuscript.