title: Methylphenidate effects on symptoms of attention deficit disorder in adults.
abstract: The objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a specific diagnostic entity in adulthood; (2) to evaluate, using a double-blind crossover design, the efficacy of methylphenidate hydrochloride in adults with evidence of residual ADD with hyperactivity (ADD-H) (N = 26); and (3) to evaluate the specificity of drug response by also administering methylphenidate to patients with similar adult symptoms but no childhood history of ADD-H (N = 35). Results indicated success in differentiating relatively distinct groups. However, no overall benefit from methylphenidate was evident, regardless of childhood history of ADD-H. Approximately 25% of the sample appeared clinically to benefit from methylphenidate, but no clear-cut predictors of drug response were identified; history of drug abuse (polydrug) appeared to be the best predictor. Even among the responders, benefit was generally not as marked nor as clinically valuable as in childhood ADD-H.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D008774:Methylphenidate