Single dose of methylphenidate improves cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients with impaired attention process.
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.
Harel
Yermi
Y
Lewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Raanana, Israel. yermih@clalit.org.il
Appleboim
Nava
N
Lavie
Mor
M
Achiron
Anat
A
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
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate