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Personalized ADHD drug shows promise in early trial for teens
NCT ID NCT02286817
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-stage study tested a drug called NFC-1 in 30 adolescents aged 12-17 with ADHD who also have specific genetic changes affecting brain receptors. The goal was to check the drug's safety and how the body processes it, while also looking for signs it might reduce ADHD symptoms. Participants received a single dose followed by four weeks of daily treatment, with results compared to a placebo group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- NFC-1 (a drug targeting glutamate receptors in the brain)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a personalized treatment for ADHD in teens with specific genetic changes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply widely. The drug may not improve ADHD symptoms or could cause side effects.
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
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
-
Jan 2015
- Finished
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Mar 2016
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
12 to 17 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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 Criteria: 1. Patient's weight is within 5th to 95th percentile for age 2. Patient has ADHD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and the Vanderbilt ADHD Rating Scale score (Parent or Teacher) \> 16 at baseline with or without conventional ADHD therapy 3. Patient has been genotyped (CAP/CLIA certified) to determine whether there are disruptive mutations in genes within the mGluR-network 4. Patient has been a non-smoker and/or has not used nicotine or nicotine-containing products for at least approximately 6 months 5. Patient is judged to be in good health, other than having ADHD, based on medical history, physical examination, vital signs measurements, and laboratory safety tests performed at the screening visit and/or prior to administration of study drug 6. Female patients of reproductive potential will have a negative urine β-hCG test at screening and prior to drug administration. If sexually active, female participant agrees to use (and/or have their partner use) two acceptable methods of birth control beginning at least 2 weeks prior to administration of study drug and throughout the study. Acceptable methods of birth control are abstinence, or 2 of the following: intrauterine device (IUD), diaphragm, spermicides, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge, and condoms 7. Patient has no clinically significant abnormality on electrocardiogram (ECG) performed at the screening visit and/or prior to administration of study drug 8. Parent/legal guardian and patient understand the study procedures and agrees to the patient's participation in the study as indicated by parental/legal guardian signature on the patient consent form and patient signature on assent form Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient or parent/legal guardian is, in the opinion of the investigator, mentally or legally incapacitated, has significant emotional problems at the time of screening visit or during the conduct of the study. Subjects with prior diagnosis of co-morbid major psychiatric disorders (i.e. aside from ADHD), including major depression, bipolar disease, Tourette syndrome, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder or pervasive development disorder, severe anxiety disorders 2. Patient has a history of any illness that, in the opinion of the study investigator, might confound the results of the study or poses an additional risk to the patient by their participation in the study 3. Patient has a history of clinically significant endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematological, hepatic, immunological, renal, respiratory, or genitourinary abnormalities or diseases. Patients with a history of uncomplicated kidney stones may be enrolled in the study at the discretion of the investigator 4. Patient has a history of stroke, chronic seizures, or major neurological disorder 5. Patient is pregnant or a nursing mother 6. Patient has a history of extreme psychological aversion to blood draws that in the opinion of the investigator or parents would result in compromising the study conduct. Patient has a history of extreme physiologic difficulty in venous access that in the opinion of the investigator and parents would result in compromising the study conduct 7. Patient has a history of inability to swallow whole unadulterated pills, which in the opinion of the investigator or parents would result in compromising the study conduct 8. Patient has a systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ the 95th percentile for his/her age 9. Patient consumes any alcoholic beverages 10. Patient consumes excessive amounts of caffeine, defined as greater than 4 servings (1 serving is approximately equivalent to 120 mg of caffeine) of coffee, tea, cola, or other caffeinated beverages per day 11. Patient has a history of significant multiple and/or severe allergies, or has had an anaphylactic reaction or significant intolerability to prescription of non-prescription drugs or food 12. Patient is currently a regular user (including "recreational use") of any illicit drugs (including marijuana) or has a history of drug (including alcohol) abuse within approximately 3 years 13. Patient has had surgery, lost more than 5cc/kg of blood, or participated in another investigational drug trial within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit. 14. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant hematologic, hepatobiliary, or renal disease 1. AST/SGOT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal 2. ALT/SGPT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal 3. Total bilirubin \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal 4. Hemoglobin \< 9 gm/dL 5. White blood cell count \< 1,000/ mm3 6. Platelet count \< 100,000/mm3 15. Any investigational drug use within 30 days prior to enrollment
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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
-
Thomas Jefferson University, Clinical Research Unit
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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