AN OPEN TRIAL OF PEMOLINE IN DRUG-DEPENDENT DELINQUENTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Objective: Adolescents with conduct disorder and substance use disorde rs have high rates of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorde r (ADHD); ADHD may contribute to the severity and persistence of subst ance use disorders and antisocial behaviors. Treatment of ADHD may hel p patients utilize substance and other behaviorally focused treatment. Yet little is known about the response oi ADHD symptoms to psychophar macological intervention in substance-dependent delinquents. Method: P ilot data are presented for 13 male adolescents with conduct disorder, substance use disorders, and ADHD, ina residential substance use trea tment program. Patients were treated with pemoline. Scores from the Co nners Hyperactivity index and continuous performance tasks were obtain ed at baseline and after about 1 month oi treatment with pemoline. Phy sical activity measurements were also assessed al baseline and 1 month . Postmedication assessments were obtained after at least 1 week at ma ximal dosage (1.2 to 3.3 mg/kg). Results: Mean Conners Hyperactivity i ndex scores declined 13.9% (p less than or equal to .002) and mean mob ility declined 7% (p less than or equal to .04) with pemoline treatmen t. Continuous performance task scores did not change. Conclusions: Pre liminary data indicate that pemoline may be a useful treatment for ADH D in substance-dependent delinquents; the authors propose a controlled trial of pemoline in such youths.