Abbott Scientists Present A New Approach for Treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Manipulation of the nicotinic receptor is a novel way to treat ADHD which has significant potential to modify the symptoms of this disorder and to enhance learning and memory.  We have had some difficulty with side effects of varenicline which is a nicotinic partial agonist used in smoking cessation in spite of really impressive efficacy.

The data on ABT-089 in adults has been released with positive results, whereas the adolescent/childhood trial is on-going for this novel compound for ADHD.  The key difference is the potential to improve learning, not simply regain attention and lessen hyperactivity.

This is a potentially interesting alternative to current ADHD stimulant treatment. There is, I believe, existing literature on the efficacy of nicotine patches in the treatment of severe,otherwise intractable ADHD in children, which would seem to support these results. Of course, much work remains to be done on such questions as whether this treatment provokes nicotine addiction (or whether it might...

Abbott’s Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor (NNR) partial agonist platform is an innovative target for ADHD and potentially other CNS disorders.  The Phase II data on ABT-089 suggests efficacy for adult ADHD with good safety/tolerability.  NNRs will not have the kind of effect size seen with stimulants but there is certainly a clinical need for drugs that work differently than current treatments...

NNR's are being heavily studied for several uses and are looking promising.

1. Effective treatment for ADHD 2. Well tolerated with few side effects 3. Help with smoking, a big problem in ADHD patients important 4. Advantage in not being Schedule II may be helpful

Although just a press release, the itself study is interesting. The attempt to modify the symptoms of ADHD by affecting neurotransmitter release or reuptake is not new, but this is an attempt to do so via a novel receptor pathway.

A novel neurochemical approach. Modulation of key neurotransmitter systems. Implications for a wide variety of psychiatric disorders.