Down Syndrome clinical trials at UC Davis

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a 3-5 time greater prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than typically developing (TD) children. Despite this higher risk of ADHD, rates of stimulant medication treatment are disproportionately low in children with DS+ADHD, even though stimulants are the most efficacious ADHD treatment and are recommended by consensus guidelines for use in children with intellectual disability and ADHD. Therefore, the investigators propose a pilot clinical trial to support the first randomized clinical trial of stimulant medication in children with DS+ADHD. The purpose of this study is to inform sample size estimates for the larger clinical trial. All children enrolled in the study will complete a comprehensive assessment battery evaluating ADHD diagnostic criteria as well as behavioral, cognitive, academic, and functional impairments. Further, children will take part in the pilot methylphenidate clinical trial to inform measures retained and desired sample size for the future clinical trial.