title: Treatment effects of methylphenidate on behavioral adjustment in children with mental retardation and ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of stimulant medication treatment were investigated in children with mental retardation (MR) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Parent and teacher behavioral ratings and reports of side effects were obtained for children (N = 24, mean age = 10.9 years, SD = 2.4) during a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover treatment trial with 0.15 mg/kg, 0.30 mg/kg, and 0.60 mg/kg b.i.d. dosages of methylphenidate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most significant improvements occurred at the 0.60 mg/kg methylphenidate dose for teacher ratings of inattention (p =.024), hyperactivity (p <.001), aggression (p <.001), and asocial behavior (p =.009). No significant improvements, relative to placebo, occurred at the 0.15 mg/kg dosage. Of interest, nearly all significant medication-related behavioral improvements were detected by teachers. However, parents were sensitive raters of side effects, noting more sleeping problems and loss of appetite at the 0.60 mg/kg dose compared with placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that symptoms of ADHD can be treated successfully in children with ADHD/MR, and consistent with MTA study results, higher doses were most effective. Furthermore, these improvements were not accompanied by increases in symptoms such as staring, social withdrawal, or anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 77030, USA. Deborah.A.Pearson@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Cynthia W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Roache
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Casat
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Loveland
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lachar
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Laura P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Lynne A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cleveland
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate