Effects of Methylphenidate on Attention Deficits in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Summary

While neurocognitive impairments in attention, memory and executive functioning are commonly reported sequelae of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, studies have only recently begun to examine the treatment of attention deficits in this population. Numerous studies have examined the effectiveness of methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the effectiveness of this medication for improving attention and behavioral functioning in children with medical illnesses or brain injury are less clear.

Patients will be randomized to receive one week of Metadate CD (a controlled release form of methylphenidate, similar to Ritalin) and one week of placebo in a double-blind fashion.

Conditions

• ALL, Childhood
• Leukemia, Lymphoblastic
• Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute
• Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L1
• Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L2
• Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, Philadelphia-Positive
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L1
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L2
• Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute
• Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Childhood
• Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L1
• Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L2
• Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
• Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute
• Lymphocytic Leukemia, L1
• Lymphocytic Leukemia, L2
• Brain Tumors
• Cancer of the Brain
• Cancer of Brain
• Malignant Primary Brain Tumors
• Brain Neoplasms, Malignant

Interventions

DRUG

Methylphenidate

1 capsule each day for 1 week, .3 mg/kg dose.

DRUG

Placebo

1 capsule per day for 1 week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Cancer Research Fund

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Minnesota

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alicia Kunin-Batson, Ph.D. · Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-05-31

Primary Completion

2010-11-30

Completion

2010-11-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations