Methylphenidate improves aspects of executive function in African American children with ADHD.
OBJECTIVE
The undertreatment of ethnic minority children with ADHD prompted a study on the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on the executive functions of African American children with ADHD.


METHODS
Nineteen African American children with ADHD are tested on the Tower of Hanoi (TOH) and the Paired Associates Learning Task (PAL) in a double-blind crossover acute challenge of MPH and placebo.


RESULTS
Under MPH, TOH rule breaks decrease, especially in the second testing session, and TOH planning time increases, particularly for incorrect solutions; PAL recall in the final learning trial improves with MPH.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to previous findings with predominantly majority samples of patients with ADHD, MPH enhances planning, precision, and persistence in African American children with ADHD.
Hazel-Fernandez
Leslie Ann
LA
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Leslie_HazelFernandez@urmc.rochester.edu
Klorman
Rafael
R
Wallace
James M
JM
Cook
Stephen
S
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015406:Single Parent; D014888:Wechsler Scales; D001741:Black or African American
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine