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Methylphenidate improves visual-spatial memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Anne-Claude Bedard·Rhonda Martinussen·Abel Ickowicz·Rosemary Tannock
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on visual-spatial memory, as measured by subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB), in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Visual-spatial memory is a core component of working memory that has been shown to be impaired in ADHD, irrespective of comorbid reading and/or language problems. METHOD: A clinic-referred sample of school-age children with a confirmed DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD (n = 26) completed tests of visual-spatial memory, planning ability, and recognition memory in an acute, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with three single fixed doses of MPH. MPH effects on right-handed and left-handed motor control were also assessed. RESULTS: MPH significantly improved performance on a self-ordered, updating visual-spatial working memory task and on maintenance of visual-spatial information but had no effects on measures of visual-spatial planning ability or recognition memory. Also, MPH significantly improved left-handed motor control. CONCLUSIONS: Beneficial effects of MPH on visual-spatial processing in ADHD are selective and restricted to visual-spatial memory.

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Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityCentral Nervous System StimulantsChildCross-Over StudiesDose-Response Relationship, DrugDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMemoryMethylphenidateMultivariate AnalysisNeuropsychological TestsClinical TrialJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Anne-Claude Bedard, Rhonda Martinussen, Abel Ickowicz, Rosemary Tannock. 2004. Methylphenidate improves visual-spatial memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200403000-00006

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