Conditions: ALL, Childhood Leukemia, Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L1 Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L2 Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, Philadelphia-Positive Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L1 Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L2 Lymphoblastic Leukemia Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Childhood Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L1 Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L2 Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, L1 Lymphocytic Leukemia, L2 Brain Tumors Cancer of the Brain Cancer of Brain Malignant Primary Brain Tumors Brain Neoplasms, Malignant
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Enrollment: 1
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
While neurocognitive impairments in attention, memory and executive functioning are commonly reported sequelae of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, studies have only recently begun to examine the treatment of attention deficits in this population. Numerous studies have examined the effectiveness of methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the effectiveness of this medication for improving attention and behavioral functioning in children with medical illnesses or brain injury are less clear.

Patients will be randomized to receive one week of Metadate CD (a controlled release form of methylphenidate, similar to Ritalin) and one week of placebo in a double-blind fashion.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: Administered 1 capsule each day for 1 week, .3 mg/kg dose. arm 2: Administered 1 capsule each day for 1 week.

Interventions: intervention 1: Methylphenidate intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 1 capsule each day for 1 week, .3 mg/kg dose. intervention 2: 1 capsule per day for 1 week.

Protocol document: