Evaluating Treatment of ADHD in Children with Down Syndrome

This study is looking at how well Quillivant XR, a liquid medication, works to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children with Down Syndrome. Researchers will compare Quillivant XR to a placebo (a liquid that looks and tastes the same but has no medicine). The study aims to see if Quillivant XR can improve ADHD symptoms and emotion regulation, as reported by parents and teachers. They also want to check the safety of the medication, especially for the heart. Children aged 6 to 17 years old with Down Syndrome and ADHD who can take liquid medicine and whose primary language is English may be able to join. The study plans to enroll 100 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to enroll 100 children.
What's involved
Participants will have 13 different assessment visits, including a baseline visit and visits during medication titration. Diagnostic and health assessments will be conducted bi-weekly during the initial medication phase.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
ADHD symptoms and emotion regulation will be measured at various points up to Week 30.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04219280

Evaluating Treatment of ADHD in Children With Down Syndrome

Active, Not Recruiting
PHASE4Ages 6–17InterventionalTreatment
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
~100 participants
Updated 2026-08-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Quillivant XRPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 4 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean magnitude of change in ADHD Symptoms as measured by parent and teacher report on the Vanderbilt ADHD Parent and Teacher Rating Scales, compared to placebo, during the optimal MPH dosage period. [ Time Frame: Phase 2, Phase 3 ]
Measured over Baseline, Weeks 2-14, Weeks 18, 22, 26, and 30
+1 more outcome measured
Down Syndrome
ADHD
4 sites across 4 states
California1
Massachusetts1
Ohio1
Pennsylvania1
  • Anna Esbensen, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
  • Tanya Froehlich, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
  • Kathleen Angkustsiri, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California Davis MIND Institute
  • Benjamin Handen, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • Sabrina Sargado, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Boston Children's Hospital

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
Male or female, between the ages of 6.00-17.99 years at the time of consent.
Able to take oral (liquid) medication.
English is primary language.
Meets criteria for ADHD (hyperactivity, inattention, or combined) on the KSADS
Meets criteria for ADHD (hyperactivity, inattention, or combined) on the Vanderbilt (historically or currently, as indicated by a teacher/professional)

Exclusion

Current use of ADHD stimulant or non-stimulant medication and unwilling to discontinue for \>/= 3 days prior to starting the study.
Children with psychoses or bipolar disorder based on diagnostic interview with the parent.
Organic Brain Injury: Children must not have a history of head trauma with loss of consciousness, epilepsy, or any other organic disorder that could possibly affect brain function.
Specific heart conditions including the following:
If participants meet any of the following heart conditions, they must be evaluated for the study by a cardiologist before beginning:
Treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or use of an MAOI within 14 days.
Active titration of non-ADHD, non-MAO psychotropic medication. Stable use of non-ADHD, non-MAO psychotropic medication, defined by no dose changes for \>/= 4 weeks before starting the study medication trial, will be allowed.
Known hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to methylphenidate or product components such as banana (due to bananas serving as flavoring in the formulation of the project's study interventions - Quillivant XR and the placebo).
Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as rated by McGill index of 4
Pregnancy. (Since there is limited information regarding the safety of Quillivant XR during pregnancy, a pregnancy test will be conducted at the medical screen for female participants who have commenced the menstrual cycle. If pregnancy is indicated, the participant will be excluded from the study as a precautionary measure).
  • Mean magnitude of change in ADHD Symptoms as measured by parent and teacher report on the Vanderbilt ADHD Parent and Teacher Rating Scales, compared to placebo, during the optimal MPH dosage period. [ Time Frame: Phase 2, Phase 3 ]Baseline, Weeks 2-14, Weeks 18, 22, 26, and 30

    A 49-item parent-report measure used to assess parent and teacher perceptions of youth's school and social functioning. The first 47 items assess symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, combined inattention and hyperactivity, oppositional-defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety/depression. These items are scored on a 0-3 scale (0 = Never; 1 = Occasionally; 2 = Often; 3 = Very Often). The next two items measure impairment in performance and are scored on a 1-5 scale (1 = Above Average; 3 = Average; 5 = Problematic). For both sub-scales, lower scores mean better outcomes. Data will be entered into SPSS and used as a diagnostic outcome measure.

  • Mean magnitude of change in Emotion Regulation as measured by parent and teacher report on the BRIEF2, compared to placebo, during the optimal MPH dosage period. [ Time Frame: Phase 2, Phase 3 ]Baseline, Week 12, Week 14, and Week 30

    A 63-item parent and teacher rating scale used to assess everyday skills measuring executive functioning, including inhibition, shifting attention, emotional control, initiating tasks, problem solving, working memory, and monitoring activities. All 63-items are scored on a 3-item scale (N = never, S = Sometimes, O = Often). Scoring is performed through a software which generates T-scores for 13 sub-scales, with borderline and clinical ranges identified. Lower scores on this measure indicate better outcomes. Data will be entered into SPSS and used as a behavioral outcome measure.