Lack of effect of methylphenidate on serum growth hormone (GH), GH-binding protein, and insulin-like growth factor I.
The aim of this study was to assess the growth hormone (GH) axis in methylphenidate (MPH)-treated and untreated boys with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), by evaluating serum GH, GH-binding protein (GHBP) activity, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels as compared to age-matched normal controls. Blood samples were taken from 42 boys (aged 6-16 years) diagnosed as having ADHD according to DSM-III-R criteria and confirmed by using the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for school-age children (K[Kiddle]-SADS). A total of 21 patients were treated with MPH (5-20 mg/day; 0.15-0.77 mg/kg/day), on a drug holiday protocol, for 1-36 months, and 21 were drug naive. A total of 46 age-matched normal boys at height and weight within normal range served as controls. No significant differences were detected between the MPH-treated ADHD children, the untreated ADHD children, and the control children on fasting serum GH levels, GHBP activity, or IGF-I levels. Active treatment with MPH, in ADHD children on a drug holiday protocol, does not cause changes in GH axis as manifested by normal values of GH, GHBP, and IGF-I.
Toren
P
P
Tel-Aviv Community Mental Health Center, Israel.
Silbergeld
A
A
Eldar
S
S
Laor
N
N
Wolmer
L
L
Koren
S
S
Weitz
R
R
Inbar
D
D
Reiss
A
A
Eshet
R
R
Weizman
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008774:Methylphenidate; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; C051815:somatotropin-binding protein