Unexpected effects of methylphenidate in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reflect decreases in core/secondary symptoms and physical complaints common to all children

    Authors

    M. D. Rapport; M. J. Kofler; M. M. Coiro; J. S. Raiker; D. E. Sarver;M. Alderson

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Child Adolesc. Psychopharmacol.

    Keywords

    DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER; PLACEBO-CONTROLLED EVALUATION; MULTIMODAL-TREATMENT; STIMULANT MEDICATION; SOMATIC COMPLAINTS; PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN; ADHD CHILDREN; DOUBLE-BLIND; ADOLESCENTS; RELIABILITY; Pediatrics; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Psychiatry

    Abstract

    Hypotheses concerning unexpected, psychostimulant-related effects reported in previous studies were examined by separating behavioral/physical complaints highly specific to methylphenidate (MPH) from those that (a) may mimic core/secondary symptoms of the disorder, or (b) are commonly reported by unmedicated children in the general population. Sixty-five children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject (crossover) experimental design and received a placebo and four MPH doses in counterbalanced order following baseline assessment. Behavioral and physical complaints were significantly higher under baseline relative to placebo and the four immediate-release MPH conditions (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg) across three symptom categories: ADHD core/secondary symptoms; symptoms commonly reported in the general population, including unmedicated children with ADHD; and symptoms highly specific to MPH. No significant differences were found among active drug conditions. Past unexpected findings of psychostimulant effects in ADHD may be due to the inclusion of scale items that reflect core/secondary features of ADHD and normally occurring behavioral/physical complaints in children.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

    Volume

    18

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    237

    Last Page

    247

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000257676200002

    ISSN

    1044-5463

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