title: Single dose of methylphenidate improves cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients with impaired attention process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attention is one of the major cognitive domains adversely affected in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of a single dose of methylphenidate on cognitive performance of MS patients with significant attention deficit.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 26 MS patients with impaired attention were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 10 mg methylphenidate or placebo. Attention was assessed using the paced auditory serial addition test for 3 and 2 s (PASAT3'' and PASAT2'') at baseline and 1 h after drug/placebo administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methylphenidate significantly improved performance of both PASAT3'' and PASAT2'' tests by 22.8% and 25.6% respectively (p<0.001), while no significant changes were observed in placebo treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of a single dose of methylphenidate significantly improved attention in MS patients with considerable attention deficit.
authors.affiliation: Lewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Raanana, Israel. yermih@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Yermi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Nava
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Appleboim
authors.forename: Mor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Achiron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate