title: A dose-response analysis of the effects of methylphenidate on the peer interactions and simulated classroom performance of ADD children with and without conduct problems.
abstract: To examine the social effects of methylphenidate, groups of 15 attention-deficit disordered boys with (ADD) and 15 ADD boys without conduct problems (ADD/CP) were paired with normal peers. ADD and ADD/CP children showed a different pattern of responses to methylphenidate. While on task behavior in ADD/CP dyads increased at 0.15 mg/kg doses, increases in ADD dyads were not observed until doses reached 0.50 mg/kg. Although controlling interaction in ADD children decreased at 0.15 mg/kg, the controlling behavior of ADD/CP children did not decline at either dose. Peers of both ADD and ADD/CP children showed reciprocal declines in controlling behavior. In both free play and cooperative task situations, 0.15 mg/kg increased social interaction in ADD boys and decreased social interaction in ADD/CP boys.
authors.affiliation: Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Offord
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate