title: Effect of methylphenidate on motivation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on motivation were examined using a progressive ratio (PR) task in children who were prescribed MPH for the treatment of ADHD. Twenty-one children, 7 to 12 years of age, completed two test sessions, one under the effects of medication and one not. During each session, children pressed a lever to earn nickel reinforcers, where the first press resulted in a reinforcer and 10 additional presses were required for each subsequent reinforcer. Children on MPH had a significantly higher breakpoint than when off medication. This MPH-associated increase in the breakpoint manifested as a significant decrease in the interresponse times (IRT). Further, MPH administration resulted in a significant decrease in IRT variability. In contrast, MPH administration had no significant effects on the means and variability of postreinforcement pause duration. These results suggest that MPH increased motivation in children being treated for ADHD. Further, the inability of MPH to significantly reduce postreinforcement pause duration while simultaneously decreasing IRTs suggests that while MPH may increase motivation to perform an ongoing task, it may have little effect on the initiation of that task.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chelonis
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Sherry A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kubacak
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Merle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Paule
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate