Article,
Efficacy and safety of established and off‐label ADHD drug therapies for cognitive impairment or attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in bipolar disorder: A systematic review by the ISBD Targeting Cognition Task Force
Contributors
Miskowiak, Kamilla Woznica
0000-0003-2572-1384
(Corresponding author)
[1]
[2]
Balanzá-Martínez, Vicent
0000-0001-7772-7396
[7]
Burdick, Katherine Elizabeth
0000-0003-4417-4988
[8]
[9]
Carvalho, Andrea Ferrari
0000-0002-2500-5671
[10]
Dols, Annemieke
0000-0003-1964-0318
[11]
Kessing, Lars Veddel
0000-0001-9377-9436
[2]
[14]
Lafer, Beny
0000-0002-6132-9999
[15]
[16]
Lewandowski, Kathryn Eve
0000-0003-1477-6187
[9]
[17]
López-Jaramillo, Carlos Alberto
0000-0002-1875-1369
[18]
Martínez-Arán, Anabel
0000-0002-0623-6263
[5]
Purdon, Scot Edward
0000-0002-7748-9380
[20]
Stokes, Paul R A
0000-0002-2274-8330
[21]
Sumiyoshi, Tomiki
0000-0001-9629-1671
[22]
Van Rheenen, Tamsyn Elizabeth
0000-0003-3339-6665
[24]
[25]
Yatham, Lakshmi N
0000-0002-7405-0954
[23]
Young, Allan Hunter
0000-0003-2291-6952
[21]
Vieta, Eduard
0000-0002-0548-0053
[5]
Hasler, Gregor
0000-0002-8311-0138
[4]
Affiliations
- [1] Capital Region of Denmark [NORA names: Capital Region of Denmark; Hospital; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [2] Mental Health Services [NORA names: Capital Region of Denmark; Hospital; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [3] University of Genoa [NORA names: Italy; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [4] University of Fribourg [NORA names: Switzerland; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
- [5] August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
(... more)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in dopamine and norepinephrine signaling are implicated in cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder (BD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This systematic review by the ISBD Targeting Cognition Task Force therefore aimed to investigate the possible benefits on cognition and/or ADHD symptoms and safety of established and off-label ADHD therapies in BD. METHODS: We included studies of ADHD medications in BD patients, which involved cognitive and/or safety measures. We followed the procedures of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO from inception until June 2023. Two authors reviewed the studies independently using the Revised Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool for Randomized trials. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were identified (N = 2136), investigating armodafinil (k = 4, N = 1581), methylphenidate (k = 4, N = 84), bupropion (k = 4, n = 249), clonidine (k = 1, n = 70), lisdexamphetamine (k = 1, n = 25), mixed amphetamine salts (k = 1, n = 30), or modafinil (k = 2, n = 97). Three studies investigated cognition, four ADHD symptoms, and 10 the safety. Three studies found treatment-related ADHD symptom reduction: two involved methylphenidate and one amphetamine salts. One study found a trend towards pro-cognitive effects of modafinil on some cognitive domains. No increased risk of (hypo)mania was observed. Five studies had low risk of bias, eleven a moderate risk, and one a serious risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Methylphenidate or mixed amphetamine salts may improve ADHD symptoms in BD. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness on cognition. The medications produced no increased mania risk when used alongside mood stabilizers. Further robust studies are needed to assess cognition in BD patients receiving psychostimulant treatment alongside mood stabilizers.
