Down syndrome hyperactivity drug trial stalls after just 3 kids enrolled
NCT ID NCT06042257
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested the drug guanfacine to see if it could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in children aged 6 to 12 with Down syndrome. The plan was to give the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks and measure behavior changes. However, the trial was stopped early after only 3 children joined, so we don't have enough data to know if it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Guanfacine (immediate-release capsules)
- What this could lead to
- If it had worked, this could have pointed toward a medication to ease hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with Down syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 3 participants, so no reliable conclusions can be drawn. Guanfacine may also cause side effects like drowsiness or low blood pressure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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3 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 to 12 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion: 1. Parent/Legal Guardian can understand the consent process and is willing to provide informed consent/HIPAA authorization prior to the conduct of any study-related procedures. When applicable, the minor participant is willing to provide assent. 2. Participant has clinical diagnosis of non-mosaic DS. 3. Participant is between 6 and 12 years of age (inclusive) at time of consent. 4. Participant weight is ≥ 25 kg. 5. Participant has clinically significant symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity manifested as minimum scores of the following rating scales within 30 days of randomization: 1. A minimum score of 18 on the parent-reported ABC-H subscale, AND 2. A minimum score of moderate or greater (≥ 4) on the clinician reported Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) score specific to hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors. 6. Participant has co-morbid medical screening and clearance to proceed with a non-stimulant medication trial with GIR within 30 days of randomization. 7. Participant is willing and able to comply with study procedures, including adherence to medication dosing schedule. Exclusion: 1. Participant has received guanfacine (any formulation) within 30 days of randomization. 2. Participant has received any of the following concomitant medication classes within 30 days of randomization: 1. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, grapefruit juice, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, mibefradil, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, and voriconazole) 2. Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., avasimibe, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, and St. John's wort) 3. Participant has a psychiatric comorbidity, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or a psychotic disorder, that requires a pharmacological treatment other than guanfacine 4. For participants ≥ 8 years old at the time of consent, participant has a history of suicidality or positive screen on Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (asQ) Tool. 5. Participant is currently in or plans to participate in another interventional study. 6. Participant has a known hypersensitivity to guanfacine. 7. Participant has had a previous guanfacine treatment failure, as determined by their primary treating physician. 8. Participant has had a change in another medication intended to treat symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity within the last 2 weeks. 9. Participant has had a seizure within the last 6 months. 10. Participant has had a change in their anti-convulsant dose within the last 4 weeks. 11. Participant has a cardiac-related condition including: 1. Significant symptomatic bradycardia; 2. 2nd degree or 3rd degree (complete) heart block; 3. Baseline heart rate (HR) or systolic blood pressure (BP) \> 2 standard deviations (SD) below mean for age as determined by medical examination; 4. History of aborted sudden cardiac death, unexplained syncope or near syncope, or historical use of a pacemaker as determined by medical history will require clearance by cardiology prior to enrollment; 5. Known history of congenital heart disease which requires ongoing care for monitoring or management will require clearance by cardiology prior to enrollment. 12. Participant has a history of untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea defined as obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥ 10 events per hour or aortic regurgitation (AR). Participants with an OAHI index \> 10/hr are eligible if managed with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). 13. Participant has untreated thyroid disease. 14. Participant has a known hepatic impairment defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 2x the upper limit of normal (ULN) for age. 15. Participant has known impending or renal failure defined as: 1. Anuria diagnosed within 12 hours prior to enrollment; 2. Requiring renal replacement therapy. 16. Participant is pregnant. 17. Participant has any condition which would make the participant, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Akron Children's Hospital
Akron, Ohio, 44308, United States
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Ann and Robert H. Lurie Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Atrium Health-Wake Forest School of Medicine
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28204, United States
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
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Duke University Hospital
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, United States
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Phoenix Childrens Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, United States
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
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University of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, United States
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Virginia Center for Children
Richmond, Virginia, 23220, United States
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