This study has examined the effect of 3 doses of Methylphenidate (MPH) on the speed of motor and cognitive performance in children diagnosed with ADHD. Thirty children clinically diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) aged 6-12 years were recruited through the ADHD Clinic and the Severe and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Program at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. The three doses of MPH were administered according to a double blind randomized cross-over three day trial (0.3; 0.5 0.8 mg/kg/day in a bid schedule). An improvement across all three doses of MPH on motor, cognitive and behavioural measures was observed. The improvement is significant at low doses of MPH and an increase of dose up to 0.8 mg/kg/day does not lead to further improvement of the speed of simple motor task, but might be beneficial to specific cognitive tasks. No deterioration was observed in association with higher doses of MPH.

No description available.