Effective methylphenidate treatment of an adult Aspergers Syndrome and a comorbid ADHD: a clinical investigation with fMRI.
OBJECTIVE
Aspergers Syndrome can present as comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Very few cases of the assessment and treatment of this comorbidity in adulthood are described in the research literature.


METHODS
A 26-year-old patient as suffering from ADHD in combination with Aspergers Syndrome is diagnosed. Treatment is started with methylphenidate (MPH), and the patient's clinical response is observed, psychological tests concerning attention are analyzed, and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination is performed during an attention-task.


RESULTS
On the functional magnetic resonance imaging, a reduction of cerebral activity bilaterally in the parietal lobe under the influence of MPH is detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides the neurophysiological findings, this case reports the complex impairment caused by the combination of AD/HD with Aspergers Syndrome and the broad social and behavioral benefits of treatment with MPH for this comorbidity.
Roy
Mandy
M
Hannover Medical School (MHH), Department of Psychiatry, Hannover, Germany. roy.mandy@mh-hannover.de
Dillo
Wolfgang
W
Bessling
Svenja
S
Emrich
Hinderk M
HM
Ohlmeier
Martin D
MD
D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate