Effects of Methylphenidate on Auditory Processing Assessment: A Case Study

Introduction: The auditory processing disorder (APD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder present similar symptoms and may be correlated, but there is a need for differential diagnosis between such comorbidities.

Objectives: To analyze the results of the auditory processing assessment in a subject with attention deficit, before and after the use of the methylphenidate medicine.

Resumed Report: The subject of 22 years was assessed in the Audiology Clinic of the University Hospital because of the reported comprehension difficulty of speech in noise. The clinical history showed perinatal complications (prematurity, low birth weight, remain in neonatal ICU) and attention complaints over the years. The same battery of behavioral tests of auditory processing and the Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP) was used at two different moments, before and after pharmacological treatment for attention deficit disorder. The results in behavioral tests of auditory processing showed that initially the subject had an APD of severe and the second assessment such disorder was classified as moderate. In LLAEP occurred absence of P300 before and after use of the medicine; however, there was an increase in the amplitude of N1 and P2 during use of Ritalin.

Conclusion: In this case, there was an improvement in auditory performance and responses in behavioral tests related to the ability of attention in the auditory processing assessment when used the Ritalin medicine. However, in LLAEP only observed an increase in the N1 and P2 amplitude, which could show subtle improvement in cortical activity with the use of medication.