title: The effect of methylphenidate on anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with Asperger syndrome and comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the response of anxiety and depression symptoms to methylphenidate (MPH) treatment in patients with Asperger syndrome (AS) combined with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A group of 12 patients with AS/ADHD, aged 8-18 years, received 12 weeks of MPH treatment. The severities of ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms were assessed by means of the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, and the Children's Depression Inventory. The severity of ADHD and depression symptoms was reduced significantly (P<0.0003 and P=0.046, respectively). No improvement in total anxiety symptoms was found, but a significant reduction was obtained in the school-related subscale of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (P=0.0054). A positive correlation was found between the reductions in ADHD-RS and Children's Depression Inventory scores (r=0.59, P=0.039). MPH treatment may be safe, tolerable, and effective in alleviating depression and school-related anxiety symptoms in patients with AS and ADHD.
authors.affiliation: aChild and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic bResearch Unit, Geha Mental Health Center cFelsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva dSackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golubchik
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapaport
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate