Nonstimulant-First vs Stimulant-First ADHD Treatment in Adults
Official title: Randomized controlled trial comparing nonstimulant-first vs stimulant-first strategies in treating ADHD in adults
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11457732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether starting ADHD treatment with a nonstimulant medication works as well as starting with a stimulant for adults with ADHD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $839,468 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH146143-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with ADHD who are considered candidates for pharmacologic treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Adults with ADHD who are clearly nonresponsive to nonstimulants or stimulants, or those with contraindications to these medications, may receive limited benefit.
What this research studies
Adult patients with ADHD will be randomized to start either a nonstimulant or a stimulant medication and will be followed for 12 weeks to compare effectiveness and acceptability of the two approaches in real-world clinical settings. The study uses a pragmatic design to reflect typical care, measuring response to treatment and patient satisfaction. Researchers will also explore whether coexisting anxiety or depression changes which approach works best. The findings could help guide physicians and patients in choosing the first-line medication strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the nonstimulant-first approach could offer another viable option for adults with ADHD, potentially improving outcomes and reducing concerns about stimulant use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous real-world trials suggest that different first-line strategies can be feasible, but results for adults with ADHD are still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faraone, Stephen V — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Faraone, Stephen V
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.