Using Methylphenidate to Treat Adults with ADHD

Methylphenidate in Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

PHASE4 · Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre · NCT02951754

This study is testing how well a common ADHD medication called Methylphenidate works for adults and if certain factors can help predict who will benefit from it.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (other)
Locations1 site (Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul)
Trial IDNCT02951754 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of Methylphenidate (MPH), a common treatment for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It aims to identify clinical and genetic factors that predict how well patients respond to MPH, given the variability in treatment outcomes. Participants will receive immediate-release MPH while researchers will monitor their responses and tolerability. The study seeks to enhance understanding of personalized treatment approaches for ADHD in adults.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are White Brazilian adults of European descent diagnosed with ADHD who are eligible for immediate-release Methylphenidate treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications for Methylphenidate, current stimulant treatment, or significant neurological diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more tailored and effective treatment strategies for adults with ADHD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that Methylphenidate is effective for ADHD, but this study's focus on genetic predictors is a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* White Brazilian of European descent
* Fulfillment of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for ADHD
* Eligibility to immediate-release MPH (IR-MPH) treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindication for IR-MPH use
* Current stimulant treatment
* Evidence of a clinically significant neurological disease that might affect cognition (e.g., delirium, dementia, epilepsy, head trauma, and multiple sclerosis)
* Current or past history of psychosis
* Estimated intelligence quotient score lower than 70

Where this trial is running

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity, ADHD, Adults, treatment, Methylphenidate

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.