NEW HAVEN, CONN. — Early results of a study indicate a medication used successfully to treat high blood pressure offers significant help in treating children with attention-span disorders and hyperactivity.
Dr. Robert D. Hunt, director of the study at the Yale School of Medicine, said indications are that the medication, called clonidine, is effective, and researchers are seeking more children with the problem for two more studies.
An estimated 250,000 children in the United States have learning and behavioral problems because of attention-span disorders associated with hyperactivity, even though they have average or above-average intelligence, Hunt said.
``Many of these children require special education and medication, and are at increased risk for delinquent behavior or depression as adolescents,`` Hunt, an assistant professor of psychiatry, said over the weekend.
``For some, serious problems with impulse control will persist into adulthood,`` he said.
Yale researchers recently completed a pilot study of 10 children with attention problems and treated with clonidine.
Stimulant medications have been used traditionally, researchers said, but many children develop side effects including anorexia, insomnia, stomach ache or explosive behavior.
Hunt said seven of the children treated with clonidine showed significant improvement in learning and social development at school and at home, becoming less irritable, excitable and aggressive. Reports from parents and teachers indicated they remained energetic and active.
The researchers hope the additional studies will provide a better understanding of the neurochemical basis of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, Hunt said.