From the Senior Editor's Desk

I n this issue we have exciting new research on a novel delivery method for methylphenidate as well as welcome additions to the literature on well-known attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and standards of care and monitoring. We are also reminded that even as we move forward and expand our options in pediatric psychopharmacology we must constantly reassess our methods and the safety and efficacy of our tools. We are pleased to present these articles.

Wigal et al. explore the efficacy of a new extended-release oral suspension of methylphenidate, which may be a welcome addition to the armamentarium of child and adolescent psychiatrists. A good study design in a laboratory school setting using clinically relevant dosing in children 6–12 years of age representing all subtypes of ADHD makes a convincing case for NWP06, which is now on the market from Pfizer as Quillivant XR. Wigal et al. show a similar effect to other extended-release methylphenidate formulations—with the advantage, as clinicians will notice, of being able to closely tailor the dose and administer to children who have trouble with pills and capsules. As the authors note in their discussion of clinical significance, “NWP06 represents the only long-acting stimulant available in a pediatric-friendly, liquid formulation,” and as such this article's conclusions are welcome knowledge to treating clinicians.

In two papers, Findling et al. extend our knowledge base concerning the stimulant lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. One concludes that the safety and efficacy of this drug are similar to other long-acting stimulants. The other intriguingly addresses the effect of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate on executive function (EF) deficits in children at the same time Findling et al. compare parent reports with clinical scales. Their conclusion in this relatively new area of inquiry should be of interest to clinicians: parental executive function inventories “may describe clinically important EF behaviors not assessed” by more standard clinical scales such as the ADHD-RS-IV.

Lee et al. present a nuanced argument for the need for multiple reports—and reporters—when a young patient is on a course of medication. In this case, the authors compared adverse events (AEs) during methylphenidate treatment as generally reported by patients and parents, and as evaluated by clinicians using a checklist. Their findings: that while over 12 weeks differences in reporting were not statistically significant, at any one time the variation between family and clinician was notable. And their commonsense conclusion: “Clinicians should supplement the subjective reports on AEs from patients or their parents with a more drug-specific checklist to obtain drug side effects more effectively.

Finally, Drilea et al. provide broad statistical support to clinical observation and show that whether it is warranted or not, symptom severity is tied to medication prescription across psychiatric diagnosis.