Effects of methylphenidate on neuropsychological functioning of boys with ADHD

Despite of the broad prevalence of attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the characteristic deficits of patients in behaviour as well as attention, the evaluation of treatments is still concentrated on teacher- and parent-reported behaviour. The repeated assessment of cognitive parameters might add specific information about treatment response. We investigate the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) with a multidimensional assessment of attention and cognitive abilities of boys with ADHD aged 6 to 13. The aim of this study is to verify hypothesis that MPH improves short-term neuropsychological functioning as well as long-term learning-dependent cognitive abilities. At 3 points in time (baseline, 4–8 weeks after the beginning of treatment, 1 year follow-up) we measure the performance in Attention Assessment Battery for Children (Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung für Kinder, KITAP, Zimmermann, Gondan & Fimm 2004). This is a computerized neuropsychological test-battery which measures performance in various attention skills. Cognitive abilities are measured by the WISC (HAWIK-IV, Hamburg-Wechsler-Intelligenztest für Kinder) which seems to be especially sensitive for cognitive symptoms of ADHD. We compare children diagnosed with ADHD under individually dosed treatment with MPH (treatment response evaluated with behavioural data) with a control group without medication. We present first results of pre-post assessment.