A new clinical trial has shown promise in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, with a drug commonly used for narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness.
In the trial, Eric Konofal of Robert-Debré Hospital in Paris and his colleagues gave 85 adults with ADHD the drug mazindol, which works as a stimulant to keep people awake, or a placebo. Those who received the mazindol experienced a 50% improvement in their symptoms within two weeks.
The result was better than the trials for many of the commonly used ADHD medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, according to a May 31 article in NewScientist.com.
Previous studies have shown that the brain pathways for paying attention and falling asleep are linked. Those with the disorder often find it difficult to fall asleep.
