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news.Shire's Adderall XR has been shown to improve driving performance, cognitive function and attention in young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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The results of a controlled driving simulator study conducted by the Washington Neuropsychological Institute show that Adderall XR, an amphetamine based product, can improve driving ability and safety among attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sufferers over a period of 12 hours.
During the investigation patients with ADHD taking Adderall XR demonstrated a significant improvement in driving safety and performance. The Adderall XR group showed a 2.5 point reduction in their average Driving Safety Score (DSS), compared to 2.5 point gain among those on placebo.
The investigators determined the participants’ DSS from mean scores derived from safety-related driving parameters, including speeding tickets, traffic tickets, crashes, crash avoidance rating, time to collision and excess speed, as presented on a driving simulation system.
Adderall XR also significantly improved ADHD symptom control in young adults with ADHD as compared to those on placebo. Approximately 80% of patients experienced at least a 30% reduction in their symptoms based on the ADHD Rating Scale score when taking the drug.
The Shire compound also had positive effects on the participants’ attention, an important cognitive ability, as measured on the validated vigilance test that measures the ability to maintain attention during a monotonous, repetitive task.
Accidents are reportedly the leading cause of death until the age of 40. Studies show that adults with ADHD have a significantly higher incidence of traffic violations, and license suspensions than adults without the disorder.