title: Immediate-release methylphenidate for ADHD in children with comorbid chronic multiple tic disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the safety and efficacy of immediate-release methylphenidate (MPH-IR) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children (ages 6-12 years) with Tourette's syndrome (96%) or chronic motor tic disorder (4%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cohorts of prepubertal children (N = 71) received placebo and three doses of MPH (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/kg) twice daily for 2 weeks each, under double-blind conditions as part of their involvement in a long-term observation study (1989-2004). Treatment effects were assessed with an extensive battery of parent-, teacher-, child-, and physician-completed rating scales and laboratory tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MPH-IR effectively suppressed ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and peer aggression behaviors. There was no evidence that MPH-IR altered the overall severity of tic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder behaviors. Teacher ratings indicated that MPH-IR therapy decreased tic frequency and severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MPH-IR appears to be a safe and effective short-term treatment for ADHD in the majority of children with chronic tic disorder; nevertheless, the possibility of tic exacerbation in susceptible individuals warrants careful monitoring of all patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8790, USA. kenneth.gadow@stonybrook.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Gadow
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sverd
authors.forename: Edith E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sprafkin
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012107:Research Design; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate