title: A pilot study: differential effects of methylphenidate-OROS on working memory and attention functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without behavioural comorbidities.
abstract: To examine the effects of methylphenidate-OROS (MPH-OROS) on working memory (WM) and attention functions in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to investigate whether there is a differential effect in ADHD children with (ADHD+) and without (ADHD-) behavioural comorbidities. Participants included a clinic referred sample of 12 stimulant naïve school-aged children with a diagnosis of combined ADHD according to the DSM-IV criteria (6 ADHD+, 6 ADHD-), and 11 healthy children. A neuropsychological protocol was applied at three different moments: before treatment, after one those of MPH-OROS, and after one month of MPH-OROS daily treatment. The protocol was simultaneously administered to the control group. Initial differences in attention parameters between naïve children with ADHD and the control group disappeared after the first dose of MPH-OROS. For WM, one month of daily treatment was necessary to achieve this pattern of results. Both ADHD groups (ADHD+ and ADHD-) showed these differences, but there was a greater improvement in (ADHD-). MPH-OROS had an immediate effect on attention deficits, but long-term treatment was needed to improve WM to the level of healthy subjects. The presence of comorbid behavioural conditions determined a less robust response in neuropsychological performance to stimulant treatment.
authors: Psychiatry Service, Child and Adolescent Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain. rubiobelen@gmail.com
authors: Belén
authors: B
authors: Rubio
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Hernández
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Verche
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Martín
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: González-Pérez
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate