Event-related potentials reflect the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Few objective biological measures of pharmacological treatment efficacy exist for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although we have previously demonstrated that event-related potentials (ERPs) reflect the effects of osmotic-release methylphenidate in treatment of naïve pediatric patients with ADHD, whether this is true for the therapeutic effects of atomoxetine (ATX) is unknown. Here, we used the Japanese version of the ADHD rating-scale IV to evaluate 14 patients with ADHD, and compared their ERP data with 14 age- and sex-matched controls. We measured P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) components during an auditory oddball task before treatment (treatment naïve) and after 2 months of ATX treatment. Compared with controls, P300 components at baseline were attenuated and prolonged in the ADHD group at Fz (fronto-central), Cz (centro-parietal), Pz (parietal regions), C3 and C4 electrodes. ATX treatment reduced ADHD symptomology, and after 2 months of treatment, P300 latencies at Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4 electrodes were significantly shorter than those at baseline. Moreover, MMN amplitudes at Cz and C3 electrodes were significantly greater than those at baseline. Thus, ERPs may be useful for evaluating the pharmacological effects of ATX in pediatric and adolescent patients with ADHD.
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Kazuhiko
K
Yamamuro
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan. Electronic address: toyosaku@naramed-u.ac.jp.
Toyosaku
T
Ota
Faculty of Nursing, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Junzo
J
Iida
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Yoko
Y
Nakanishi
Department of Psychiatry, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Japan.
Hiroki
H
Matsuura
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Prefectural General Rehabilitation Center, Shiki, Japan.
Mitsuhiro
M
Uratani
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Kosuke
K
Okazaki
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Naoko
N
Kishimoto
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Shohei
S
Tanaka
Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
Toshifumi
T
Kishimoto
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride
Atomoxetine; Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Event-related potentials; Methylphenidate; Mismatch negativity; P300