title: Differential effects of methylphenidate on problem solving in adults with ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two studies were performed to assess both divergent and convergent thinking in adults with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first study compared the problem-solving abilities of healthy participants (N = 144) and unmedicated adults with ADHD (N = 144). In the second study, problem-solving abilities of adults with diagnosed ADHD (N = 22) were examined twice, that is, on and off methylphenidate (MPH), and compared with the performance of a healthy control group (N = 22). Convergent thinking was measured using a Tower of London task, whereas divergent thinking was assessed using verbal fluency tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adults with ADHD off MPH displayed marked deficits of both divergent and convergent thinking. MPH treatment resulted in a marked improvement of convergent thinking, while no effect of medication was found regarding divergent thinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD revealed a differential effect of MPH on problem solving abilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS Groningen, Netherlands. L.I.Tucha@rug.nl
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tucha
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tucha
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sontag
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stasik
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laufkötter
authors.forename: Klaus W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lange
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate