[The value of cognitive evoked potentials in assessing the effectiveness of methylphenidate treatment in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of the latency and amplitude of P300 in relation to methylphenidate (MPH) medication.


METHODS
36 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 18 children as control group were tested with an auditory and visual oddball paradigm both before and 1.5 h after a single dose trial of MPH.


RESULTS
MPH increased the amplitude and the latency of the visual and auditory P300 component In the ADHD group the latency of the P300 component was longer and the amplitude smaller than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggests that MPH acts to improve processing of cognitive information in children with ADHD where no differences with normal children are present.
Idiazábal-Alecha
M A
MA
Hospital Universitari del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Espana. mariannf@eresmas.com
Rodríguez-Vázquez
S
S
Guerrero-Gallo
D
D
Vicent-Sardinero
X
X
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008774:Methylphenidate