Cristiana Bolfer1, Sandra Pasquali Pacheco2, Miriam Harumi Tsunemi3, Walter Souza Carreira4, Beatriz Borba Casella5, Erasmo Barbante Casella1,6. 1. Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brasil. 2. Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, São Paulo SP, Brasil. 3. Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, São Paulo SP, Brasil. 4. Centro Universitário de Maringá, Maringá PR, Brasil. 5. Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Pediatria, São Paulo SP, Brasil. 6. Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Instituto da Criança, Clínica de Deficiência de Aprendizagem, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), before and after the use of methylphenidate, and a control group, using tests of working memory, inhibition capacity and mental flexibility. METHODS: Neuropsychological tests were administrated to 53 boys, 9-12 years old: the WISC-III digit span backward, and arithmetic; Stroop Color; and Trail Making Tests. The case group included 23 boys with ADHD, who were combined type, treatment-naive, and with normal intelligence without comorbidities. The control group (n = 30) were age and gender matched. After three months on methylphenidate, the ADHD children were retested. The control group was also retested after three months. RESULTS: Before treatment, ADHD children had lower scores than the control group on the tests (p ≤ 0.001) and after methylphenidate had fewer test errors than before (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Methylphenidate treatment improves the working memory, inhibitory control and mental flexibility of ADHD boys.
OBJECTIVE: To compare children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), before and after the use of methylphenidate, and a control group, using tests of working memory, inhibition capacity and mental flexibility. METHODS: Neuropsychological tests were administrated to 53 boys, 9-12 years old: the WISC-III digit span backward, and arithmetic; Stroop Color; and Trail Making Tests. The case group included 23 boys with ADHD, who were combined type, treatment-naive, and with normal intelligence without comorbidities. The control group (n = 30) were age and gender matched. After three months on methylphenidate, the ADHD children were retested. The control group was also retested after three months. RESULTS: Before treatment, ADHD children had lower scores than the control group on the tests (p ≤ 0.001) and after methylphenidate had fewer test errors than before (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Methylphenidate treatment improves the working memory, inhibitory control and mental flexibility of ADHD boys.
Authors: Paul T Rosenau; Thaïra J C Openneer; Anne-Flore M Matthijssen; Gigi H H van de Loo-Neus; Jan K Buitelaar; Barbara J van den Hoofdakker; Pieter J Hoekstra; Andrea Dietrich Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2021-03-28 Impact factor: 8.265