title: Memantine versus Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of memantine versus methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty participants (34 boys and 6 girls) aged 6-11 who were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder based on (DSM-IV-TR) criteria were selected for this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: group one (n = 22) received memantine and the other group (n = 18) received methylphenidate for six weeks. Treatment outcomes were assessed using the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression- Severity Scale administered at baseline and at weeks 3 and 6 following the treatment. Also, a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (time- treatment interaction) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 weeks, methylphenidate produced a signiﬁcantly better outcome on the Parent Rating Scale scores and Clinical Global Impression- Severity than memantine. Side effects were observed more often in the memantine group. However, with respect to the frequency of side effects, the difference between the memantine and methylphenidate groups was not signiﬁcant. The most common side effects associated with memantine are appetite suppression, headache, vomiting, nausea and fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study revealed that although memantine was less effective than methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it may be considered as an alternative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Department of psychiatry, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Soleiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhondzadeh
keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Children; Clinical Trial.; Memantine; Methylphenidate (MPH)