Use of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in treatment of executive functioning deficits
and chronic fatigue syndrome: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.
Author(s): Young JL.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. jyoung@rcbm.net
Publication date & source: 2013, Psychiatry Res. , 207(1-2):127-33
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine
dimesylate (LDX) for the treatment of executive functioning deficits in adults
(ages 18-60) with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The study's primary outcome
measure was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult (BRIEF-A).
Secondary outcome measures were standardized assessments of fatigue, pain and
global functioning. Twenty-six adults who met criteria for CFS and had clinically
significant executive functioning deficits were randomly assigned to a flexible
morning dose (30, 50, 70 mg/day) of either placebo or LDX for a 6-week trial. The
data were analyzed with standard analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures.
Participants in the LDX group showed significantly more positive change in
BRIEF-A scores (Mchange=21.38, SD=15.85) than those in the placebo group
(Mchange=3.36, SD=7.26). Participants in the active group also reported
significantly less fatigue and generalized pain relative to the placebo group.
Although future studies with LDX should examine whether these benefits generalize
to larger, more diverse samples of patients, these results suggest that LDX could
be a safe and efficacious treatment for the executive functioning deficits often
associated with CFS. The possibility that dopaminergic medications could play an
important role addressing the symptoms of CFS is also discussed.
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