title: Autonomic hypoactivity in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the influence of methylphenidate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates an overall autonomic hypoactivity reflecting hypoarousal as important aetiological factor in ADHD at baseline during rest and in response towards stimuli. In addition, effects of methylphenidate (MPH) are examined. We further assessed whether this hypoarousal is a stable characteristic or ameliorated by arousing emotional stimuli.
  
  
  METHODS
  Boys with ADHD were examined with (n = 35) or without MPH (n = 45) and compared with healthy boys (n = 22) regarding skin conductance level (SCL) during rest and skin conductance responses (SCRs) as well as valence and arousal ratings in response to positive, neutral, and negative pictures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADHD children without MPH were characterized by reduced baseline SCL and overall reduced SCRs. ADHD children with MPH never differed from control children. All groups displayed normal valence and arousal ratings of the stimuli and enhanced SCRs to emotional in comparison to neutral pictures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to unravel (1) a general autonomic hypoactivity in ADHD children at baseline and in response to low arousing neutral and highly arousing emotional stimuli, and (2) hints that MPH normalizes this hypoactivity. Results contribute to the understanding of ADHD aetiology and MPH functionality, and are consistent with the cognitive-energetic model of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conzelmann
authors.forename: Antje B M
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gerdes
authors.forename: Ronald F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mucha
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weyers
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lesch
authors.forename: Christina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Bähne
authors.forename: Andreas J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fallgatter
authors.forename: Tobias J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Warnke
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romanos
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pauli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate