Methylphenidate restores visual memory, but not working memory function in attention deficit-hyperkinetic disorder

Rhodes, Sinéad M. and Coghill, David and Matthews, Keith M. (2004) Methylphenidate restores visual memory, but not working memory function in attention deficit-hyperkinetic disorder. Psychopharmacology, 175. pp. 319-330. ISSN 0033-3158 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-1833-7)

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Abstract

Dysfunction of executive neuropsychological performance, mediated by the prefrontal cortex, has been the central focus of recent attention deficit/ hyperkinetic disorder (AD-HKD) research. The role of other potential neuropsychological 'risk factors', such as recognition memory, remains understudied. Further, the impact of methylphenidate (MPH) on key neuropsychological processes in AD-HKD remains poorly understood. To compare the performance of boys with AD-HKD on a spatial working memory (SWM) task and on two non-working memory tasks [a simultaneous and delayed matching-to-sample task (DMtS) and a patternrecognition task] with that of healthy boys, and to investigate the impact of acute and chronic MPH on performance of these tasks. Methods: Baseline performance of 75 stimulant-naive boys with AD-HKD was compared with that of 70 healthy boys. The AD-HKD boys were then re-tested following the administration of acute and chronic challenges with MPH (0.3 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg) under randomised double-blind placebo controlled conditions. Results: Compared with healthy boys, the AD-HKD boys demonstrated performance deficits on all neuropsychological tasks. A single dose of MPH restored performance on the DMtS task but had no impact on the SWM or pattern-recognition tasks. Chronic MPH administration did not alter performance on the SWM task but did improve performance on both the pattern-recognition and DMtS tasks. However, the acute restorative effect of MPH on DMtS diminished with repeated administration. Our results suggest that current conceptualisations of the neuropsychological basis of AD-HKD and the proposed therapeutic mechanisms of MPH require broadening.

ORCID iDs

Rhodes, Sinéad M. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3124-123X, Coghill, David and Matthews, Keith M.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)