title: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study of methylphenidate and lithium in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: preliminary findings.
abstract: The authors examined the efficacy of methylphenidate (MPH) and lithium to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Patients received 8 weeks of MPH treatment (up to 40 mg/day) and 8 weeks of lithium treatment (up to 1,200 mg/day), by random assignment. Independent evaluators blind to group assignment assessed response every 2 weeks and at the end of each phase. The primary outcome measure was the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale sum score for the clusters of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and learning problems. Secondary outcome measures were scores of irritability, overt aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, and depression, and scores on tests of verbal learning and sustained attention. In this preliminary study, lithium and MPH produced similar improvements on the primary outcome measure and on measures of irritability, aggressive outbursts, antisocial behavior, anxiety, and depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Raúl Carrea Institute of Neurological Research-FLENI, Montañeses 2325, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina. flavia@fleni.org.ar
authors.forename: María Flavia
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dorrego
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Canevaro
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kuzis
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabe
authors.forename: Sergio E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Starkstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate; D018021:Lithium Chloride