Methylphenidate improves visual-spatial memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on visual-spatial memory, as measured by subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB), in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Visual-spatial memory is a core component of working memory that has been shown to be impaired in ADHD, irrespective of comorbid reading and/or language problems.


METHODS
A clinic-referred sample of school-age children with a confirmed DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD (n = 26) completed tests of visual-spatial memory, planning ability, and recognition memory in an acute, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with three single fixed doses of MPH. MPH effects on right-handed and left-handed motor control were also assessed.


RESULTS
MPH significantly improved performance on a self-ordered, updating visual-spatial working memory task and on maintenance of visual-spatial information but had no effects on measures of visual-spatial planning ability or recognition memory. Also, MPH significantly improved left-handed motor control.


CONCLUSIONS
Beneficial effects of MPH on visual-spatial processing in ADHD are selective and restricted to visual-spatial memory.
Bedard
Anne-Claude
AC
Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Martinussen
Rhonda
R
Ickowicz
Abel
A
Tannock
Rosemary
R
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate