BACKGROUND: Methylphenidate (MPH) is an efficient treatment to reduce behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, its impact on cognitive functioning has not been sufficiently demonstrated so far. This study investigates the hypothesis that MPH improves attention-related cognitive functions. METHODS: Sixty-seven medication-naive boys aged 6-13, with newly diagnosed ADHD, were tested before treatment with a neuropsychological assessment battery, including the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC-IV) and the Test of Attentional Performance for Children (KITAP). A follow-up assessment was performed after 8-12 weeks, with 37 participants receiving MPH treatment and 30 controls without medication. The effect of MPH on test performance was analyzed by repeated measures analyses of variance. RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly across a broad range of psychometric measures of cognitive performance. There were no significant interaction effects of group and time on attention-related cognitive functions. Exploratory analyses revealed an effect of MPH on verbal comprehension in the WISC-IV. CONCLUSION: The study results do not support that MPH improves attention-related cognitive functions of boys with ADHD. The potential effect of MPH on verbal abilities deserves further research.
BACKGROUND:Methylphenidate (MPH) is an efficient treatment to reduce behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, its impact on cognitive functioning has not been sufficiently demonstrated so far. This study investigates the hypothesis that MPH improves attention-related cognitive functions. METHODS: Sixty-seven medication-naive boys aged 6-13, with newly diagnosed ADHD, were tested before treatment with a neuropsychological assessment battery, including the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC-IV) and the Test of Attentional Performance for Children (KITAP). A follow-up assessment was performed after 8-12 weeks, with 37 participants receiving MPH treatment and 30 controls without medication. The effect of MPH on test performance was analyzed by repeated measures analyses of variance. RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly across a broad range of psychometric measures of cognitive performance. There were no significant interaction effects of group and time on attention-related cognitive functions. Exploratory analyses revealed an effect of MPH on verbal comprehension in the WISC-IV. CONCLUSION: The study results do not support that MPH improves attention-related cognitive functions of boys with ADHD. The potential effect of MPH on verbal abilities deserves further research.
Authors: Emeline Crutcher; May Ali; John Harrison; Judit Sovago; Baltazar Gomez-Mancilla; Christian P Schaaf Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2016-04
Authors: Karin S Walsh; Jennifer Janusz; Pamela L Wolters; Staci Martin; Bonita P Klein-Tasman; Mary Anne Toledo-Tamula; Heather L Thompson; Jonathan M Payne; Kristina K Hardy; Peter de Blank; Claire Semerjian; Laura Schaffner Gray; Sondra E Solomon; Nicole Ullrich Journal: Neurology Date: 2016-08-16 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Bonita P Klein-Tasman; Kelly M Janke; Wen Luo; Christy L Casnar; Scott J Hunter; James Tonsgard; Pamela Trapane; Faye van der Fluit; Lorri A Kais Journal: J Int Neuropsychol Soc Date: 2013-11-15 Impact factor: 2.892