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Methylphenidate in KBG Syndrome: N-of-1 Series

Effectiveness of Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With KBG Syndrome: An N-of-1 Series

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06465641
Acronym
KBGS_N_of_1
Enrollment
15
Registered
2024-06-20
Start date
2024-11-13
Completion date
2028-10-01
Last updated
2026-08-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

ADHD - Combined Type, Kbg Syndrome

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial\] is to learn about the effect of methylphenidate in children and adolescents with KBG syndrome. The main question it aims to answer is: • What is the effectiveness of methylphenidate on attention deficit and ADHD-related symptoms in children and adolescents with KBG syndrome? Participants will receive multiple blocks of treatment with methylphenidate and placebo and fill out various questionnaires.

Detailed description

KBG syndrome (KBGS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by developmental delay and/or intellectual disability, typical facial features, skeletal and congenital anomalies. Behavioural issues are a frequent feature, reported in 50-94% of persons with KBGS.The behavioural problems are diverse, and include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and difficulties in social situations. Van Dongen et al. systematically investigated the behavioural and cognitive phenotype of KBGS patients. This study showed a high level of distractibility, impulsivity and restless behaviour in KBGS patients. As a tertiary reference centre for KBGS in the Netherlands, the investigators notice there is an unmet need for evidence-based interventions for the behavioral problems related to KBGS. A previous survey amongst KBGS caretakers confirmed that (features of) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the most frequently reported behavioural problems in children with KBGS. Furthermore, the study results indicate that methylphenidate (MPH) has a good effect on ADHD-related symptoms in KBGS, as this is reported by most parents. The promising results from this first exploration on MPH in KBGS indicate that it seems even more effective than in the general population of children with ADHD. However, evidence-based data on optimal dosing and adverse events are lacking. Remarkably, only 2/12 KBGS patients who were treated with stimulants such as MPH had an official ADHD diagnosis. This indicates that patients with ADHD-related symptoms fitting with a probability diagnosis of ADHD, but who do not necessarily fit all the Diagnostic and statistical manual 5 (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD, may also benefit from drug treatment. The investigators will examine the effectiveness of MPH in children and adolescents with KBGS and (a probability diagnosis of) ADHD, using an N-of-1 series (aggregated N-of-1) trial design.

Interventions

DRUGMethylphenidate Hydrochloride

Methylphenidate hydrochloride in capsules

DRUGPlacebo

Microcrystalline cellulose in capsules

Sponsors

Radboud University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Placebo

Intervention model description

N-of-1 series (aggregated N-of-1 trial)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 6-20 years * Molecularly confirmed diagnosis of KBG syndrome (pathogenic ANKRD11 variant or a chromosome 16q24 deletion including ANKRD11) * Attention deficit or ADHD-related symptoms or a formal ADHD diagnosis, with a significant impact on daily life\* * Presence of a subject's caregiver or supervisor for proxy-reports

Exclusion criteria

* Family history of acute cardiac death that warrants further cardiac investigation * Cardiovascular disease in medical history (severe hypertension, heart failure, arterial occlusive disease, potentially life-threatening arrythmias, angina pectoris, hemodynamically significant congenital heart defect, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and channelopathy) * Current or previous presence of hyperthyroidism, glaucoma or pheochromocytoma * Use of (psychotropic/stimulant) drugs which interact with MPH * Schizophrenic or psychotic disorder in medical history * Unstable epilepsy (not controlled with medication) * History of frequent drug and/or alcohol abuse * Excessive alcohol/drug use and/or intoxication with one or both during the study * Pregnant or lactating women * Inability to understand or speak Dutch

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Strenghts and difficulties questionnaire, ADHD subscaleBaseline, and daily in week 1,3,5,7,9,11Minimum score 1, maximum score 10 (higher score is worse outcome).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Strenghts and difficulties questionnaire, emotional problems subscaleBaseline, and daily in week 1,3,5,7,9,11Minimum score 1, maximum score 10 (higher score is worse outcome).
Dutch shortened version of the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) reactivity indexBaseline, and daily in week 1,3,5,7,9,11Minimum score 0, maximum score 28 (higher score is worse outcome)
Goal Attainment Scoring (GAS)Baseline, and at the end of week 1,3,5,7,9,11Personal goals, no minimum or maximum score
Personal Questionnaire (PQ)Baseline, and at the end of week 1,3,5,7,9,11Personal goals, no minimum or maximum score
Adverse Effects checklist for methylphenidateBaseline, and daily in week 1,3,5,7,9,11Checklist of adverse effects
McMaster Family assessment device (FAD), subscale General FunctioningBaseline, and at the end of week 1,3,5,7,9,1110 items, 4 point scale, maximum score 40
Autism diagnostic observation scale (ADOS-2)BaselineMinimum score 15, maximum score 60 (cut-off score for autism is 30)

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

CONTACTCharlotte Ockeloen, MD
charlotte.ockeloen@radboudumc.nl+31243613946

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 12, 2026