Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 63
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Amphetamines have been shown to improve cognition but its use is limited due to its side effects. Lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine pro-drug, minimizing these effects and has been safely used in children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The investigators hypothesize that lisdexamfetamine may improve cognitive abilities in MS patients with documented cognitive dysfunction. Because lisdexamfetamine is a stimulant its positive effects should be observed primarily in the domains of processing speed and working memory. The investigators therefore propose a study in which the primary objective will be to assess the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine in improving attention and processing speed in MS. The secondary objectives will be (a) the assessment of the safety and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine in the MS population, and (b) to test for effects of the drug on other cognitive domains, depression, and self and informant reports of cognitive and executive function demanding activities and behaviors.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: 30mg lisdexamfetamine OD, increased to 70mg OD over 4 weeks and continued on 70mg OD for 4 weeks arm 2: Placebo will be administered in the same fashion as the treatment arm

Interventions: intervention 1: lisdexamfetamine sulfate intervention 2: placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 30mg lisdexamfetamine OD, increased to 70mg OD over 4 weeks and continued on 70mg OD for 4 weeks intervention 2: sugar pill

Protocol document: