Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric effects of the alpha-2a adrenergic agonist guanfacine in children with Tourette syndrome (TS). Twenty-four children with TS participated in a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of guanfacine. Tic severity, neuropsychologic functioning, and parent ratings of behavior were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. The sample had mild tic severity and subtle neuropsychologic dysfunction pretreatment. Post-treatment, patients receiving guanfacine were rated by parents as significantly improved (compared to placebo) on one measure of executive function (parent-rated metacognition). Improvement on tic severity, performance-based neuropsychologic measures, and all other parent ratings were not significantly better than placebo. At a moderate dose and short-term treatment duration, guanfacine did not provide significant neuropsychiatric benefits in this group of children with mild TS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 325-332 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Clinical neuropharmacology |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2002 |
Keywords
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function
- Executive function
- Guanfacine
- Rating scales
- Tourette syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Neurology
- Pharmacology (medical)