Objective-High rates of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) have been found in samples of adolescents and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Predictors of SUD among ADHD children who are at risk for the development of SUD remain understudied. The main aims of this study were to identify clinically meaningful characteristics of children that predicted the future development of SUD and to see whether the role of these characteristics varied by sex.Method-Subjects were children and adolescents with (N=268; mean age ± SD = 10.9 ± 3.2 years) and without (N=229; mean age 11.9 ± 3.3 years) DSM-III-R ADHD followed prospectively and blindly over a ten-year follow-up period onto young adult years. Subjects were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews for psychopathology and SUDs.Results-Over the ten-year follow-up period, ADHD was found to be a significant predictor of any SUD (Hazards Ratio, (95% Confidence Interval) = 1.47 (1.07, 2.02); p=0.01) and cigarette smoking (2.38 (1.61, 3.53); p<0.01). Within ADHD, comorbid conduct disorder (2.74 (1.66, 4.52); p<0.01) and oppositional defiant disorder (2.21 (1.40, 3.51); p<0.01) at baseline were also found to be significant predictors of SUD. We found similar results for cigarette, alcohol, and drug use disorders. There were few meaningful sex interaction effects. We did not find any clinically significant associations for any social or family environment factors nor cognitive functioning factors (all p values > 0.05).Conclusions-These results indicate that ADHD is a significant risk factor for the development of SUD and cigarette smoking in both sexes.

Objective-Despite the increasing presentation of ADHD in adults, many practitioners remain reluctant to assess individuals for ADHD, in part related to the relative lack of data on the presenting symptoms of ADHD in adulthood. Comorbidity among adults with ADHD is also of great interest due to the high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, which can lead to a more persistent ADHD among adults.Methods-We assessed 107 adult outpatients with ADHD of both sexes (51% female; mean ± SD of 37±10.4 years) using structured diagnostic interviews. Using DSM-IV symptoms, we determined DSM-IV subtypes.Results-Inattentive symptoms were most frequently endorsed (>90%) in ADHD adults. Using current symptoms, 62% of adults had the combined subtype, 31% the inattentive only subtype, and 7% the hyperactive/impulsive only subtype. Adults with the combined subtype had relatively more psychiatric comorbidity compared to those with the predominately inattentive subtype. Females were similar to males in the presentation of ADHD.Conclusion-Adults with ADHD have prominent inattentive symptoms of ADHD necessitating careful questioning of these symptoms when evaluating these individuals.

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00586157.

Background Self-regulatory mechanisms appear etiologically operant in the context of both substance use disorders (SUD) and bipolar disorder (BD), however, little is known about the role of deficits in emotional self-regulation (DESR) as it relates to SUD in context to mood dysregulation. To this end, we examined to what extent DESR was associated with SUD in a high-risk sample of adolescents with and without BD. Methods 203 families were assessed with a structured psychiatric interview. Using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), a subject was considered to have DESR when he or she had an average elevation of 1 standard deviation (SD) above the norm on 3 clinical scale T scores (Attention, Aggression, and Anxiety/Depression; scores: 60×3 ≥180). Results Among probands and siblings with CBCL data (N=303), subjects with DESR were more likely to have any SUD, alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, and cigarette smoking compared to subjects with scores<180 (all p values <0.001), even when correcting for BD. We found no significant differences in the risk of any SUD and cigarette smoking between those with 1 SD and 2 SD above the mean (all p values >0.05). Subjects with cigarette smoking and SUD had more DESR compared to those without these disorders. Conclusions Adolescents with DESR are more likely to smoke cigarettes and have SUD. More work is needed to explore DESR in longitudinal samples.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of adding OROS methylphenidate (MPH) to children who are partial responders to atomoxetine (ATMX) in the treatment of attention-deficit=hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: This is a two-phase, 7-week, open study in children aged 6-17 years. Phase I initiated ATMX for a minimum of 4 weeks. Phase II entered partial responders to ATMX and added up to 54 mg of OROS MPH to their regimen. Subjects were assessed on multiple outcomes, including ADHD, executive functioning, and adverse effects. All analyses were intent to treat, with last observation carried forward. Results: Fifty subjects who were partial responders to ATMX were treated with the combination therapy, with 41 subjects completing the entire protocol. There was a 40% reduction in their ADHD Rating Scale from the start of phase II through the end of study (from 21.14 AE 9.9 to 12.8 AE 9.7, t ¼ 6.5, p < 0.0001). In addition, there was a clinically significant reduction in the Clinical Global Index of ADHD severity from moderate to mild ADHD (start of phase II, 3.7; end of phase II, 2.7, 27%, t ¼ 6.5, p < 0.0001), as well as improvements in executive functioning. Conclusion: These results suggest that OROS MPH added to the regimen of partial responders to ATMX improves ADHD and executive functioning, necessitating further controlled trials.