Methylphenidate Treatment in Children with Borderline IQ and Mental Retardation: Analysis of Three Aggregated Studies
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Date
2003
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
Abstract
Objective:
To determine response of low-IQ children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
symptoms to methylphenidate (MPH).
Methods:
An aggregated analysis was conducted in 90 children with low IQ who received the same dose
regimen of MPH in three independent, placebo-controlled studies. Active drug and placebo were given from
2 to 4 weeks each. Outcome measures included teacher and parent ratings on standardized behavior scales
(mean n = 84), performance on computer-controlled cognitive-motor tests (n = 62), and measures of
cardiovascular response (n = 85).
Results:
Both teachers and parents rated the children consistently as being improved on subscales assessing
attention, overactivity, and conduct problems. Some 44% of the subjects showed at least a 30% reduction
compared with placebo on teacher ratings. MPH improved accuracy on several cognitive tests, response
speed was increased on some, and seat activity declined for one of three tests; heart rate was mildly increased
(3.9 beats/minute) with MPH. Analyses of IQ and mental age as moderator variables suggested that lower
functional level (especially lower IQ) may be associated with a less favorable response to MPH.
Conclusions:
Children with low IQ and ADHD clearly respond to MPH, but their rate of beneficial response
appears to be well under that of normal-IQ children and more varied. Different attentional mechanisms may
moderate response to psychostimulants.
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Citation
Michael G. Aman, Brett Buican and L. Eugene Arnold, "Methylphenidate Treatment in Children with Borderline IQ and Mental Retardation: Analysis of Three Aggregated Studies," Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 13, no. 1 (2003), doi:10.1089/104454603321666171