This Month in Psychopharmacology

Saffron for Pediatric ADHD?

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health issue among children and adolescents, affecting ~7% of school-age children. Existing treatments include stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate) and non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine), which work on dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. These treatments are effective for some, but not all, patients in reducing symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, side effects including sleep issues and nausea, are not uncommon and may preclude some patients from taking such medications. Perhaps one of the most alarming issues with stimulant medications is their risk for dependency and diversion of medications. Given these considerations, alternative treatments with less risk would be valuable. The herb/spice saffron, a.k.a. Crocus sativus derives from a beautiful purple flower and is reported to have antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antianxiety, pro-cognitive, and neuroprotective effects. Given its inhibitory actions at both dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake pumps as well as antagonist actions at NMDA receptors and agonist actions at GABA-A receptors, the authors of a recent study set out to test the efficacy of saffron extract in treating ADHD. In this study involving 50 patients, age 6-17 with ADHD, Baziar and colleagues found that 20-30 mg/day of saffron extract was as effective at reducing both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD as was 20-30 mg/day of methylphenidate. Throughout this 6-week study there were no significant differences on either the Parent- or Teacher-ADHD-RS-IV for symptoms of ADHD between saffron and methylphenidate and side effects occurred less often. These data offer promise of a potentially cost-effective, widely-available, non-divertible treatment for ADHD.


Reference:

Baziar S et al. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2019;29(3):1-8. Abstract


For more information on ADHD in children and adolescents:

Update in ADHD: Focus on Medication Treatments
CME credits: 1.25
This Month in Psychopharmacology: ADHD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Academy (Live Meeting)