Conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury Attention Deficit Disorder
Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury Attention Deficit TBI
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Enrollment: 22
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate whether Vyvanse, a psychostimulant, can help with attention deficits due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Vyvanse is currently approved for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD). The exact effects this drug may have on attention deficits caused by TBI are not known, but we expect that Vyvanse will be of some help in treating those types of problems as well. The study will utilize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods, as well as neurobehavioral measures, to elucidate neural mechanisms of response.

Detailed description:
Symptoms of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and poor persistence have been observed in both children and adults following traumatic brain injury (TBI). These often are among the most prominent symptoms manifested and may contribute to interference in a variety of other functional domains. Although there has been some use of psychostimulant medication to treat TBI-acquired attention deficits, it remains a relatively uncommon clinical practice. This study, by highlighting mechanisms of action, could serve to promote the appropriate use of this type of treatment for the patients.

Arms:
arm 1: Vyvanse capsule, 30-70 mg, each morning for 6 weeks.

Placebo capsule each morning for 6 weeks.

Brain scans (fMRI) performed at baseline, 6th week visit and 12th week visit. arm 2: Vyvanse capsule, 30-70 mg, each morning for 6 weeks.

Placebo capsule each morning for 6 weeks.

Brain scans (fMRI) performed at baseline, 6th week visit and 12th week visit.

Interventions: intervention 1: Vyvanse intervention 2: fMRI intervention 3: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 30 mg - 70 mg capsules taken every morning for 6 weeks. intervention 2: Brain scans (fMRI) performed at baseline, 6 week visit and 12th week visit. intervention 3: Placebo capsules taken every morning for 6 weeks.

Protocol document: