The Effects of Methylphenidate on Continuous Performance Test in the Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / 대한정신약물학회지

This study aims to examine the effect of methylphenidate, which is the most extensively prescribed medicine treating children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), on the children's neuropsychiatric functions by comparing the symptomatic differences before and after its medication. MEHTODS: The subjects of this study were 48 children who corresponded to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD of DSM-IV, did not have any problem in vision or hearing, did not have neurologic disorder such as epilepsy and brain damage, and did not have other long term medication. To evaluate the effects of behavioral response and medication, after stopping medication over a week we handed out questionnaires to the parents and conducted CPT to the subjects. A dose of 0.3-0.7 mg/kg (bid or tid) was medicated at 8AM and 1PM everyday. After 4 weeks of medication, the same tests were conducted. RESULTS: Average age of the subjects was 8.88+/-1.55. There were 44 boys (91.7%) and 4 girls (8.3%). Mean intelligence was 96.60+/-18.12 and mental processing was 102.90+/-16.51. On ADDES-HV, after medication attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On AcTeRS, after medication attention, impulsivity and social skill were significantly improved (p<0.05). On CAPs, after medication inattention and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On SNAP, after medication inattention impulsivity and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On the academic performance rating scale, after medication total score, learning ability, impulse control and social withdrawal were significantly improved (p<0.05). On performing CPT, after medication commissions error, hit reaction time standard error, variability of standard error and attentiveness were significantly improved (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With these results, we recognized methy-lphenidate is more effective in children's impulsivity and hyperactivity than attention, contrary to the clinical observation.

Application of Stop-Signal Task for Evaluation of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTICES AND METHODS: The purpose of this study was to examine availabilities of stop-signal task as a screening test for ADHD and as a research tool. Stop-signal task was applied to 40 ADHD patients and 18 normal children. Followings are the results of this study. RESULTS: There were significant differences between ADHD group and control group in ZRFT, mean delay x block and primary-RT of stop-signal task performance(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in results of continuous performance test. SSRT of stop-signal task had significant correlation with hit reaction time of continuous performance test, and primary-RT and primary-SD with attentiveness and hit reaction time of continuous performance test. There was no significant correlation between scores of ADDES-HV and stop-signal task performance. In change of primary-SD according to intelligence, primary-SD decreased as intelligence increased but made plateau after IQ 110, and in change of SSRT according to age, SSRT decreased as intelligence increased but made plateau after 10 year-old. In discriminant ability, mean delay x block and primary-RT showed highest discriminant ability (each 75%). In addition P-inhibit showed 63.89%, SSRT showed 58%, ZRFT showed 67%, and primary-SD showed 58% in discriminant ability. There was no significant difference in stop-signal task performance between ADHD with hyperactivity and ADHD without hyperactivity. CONCLUSION: In this point of view, stop-signal task was proved to be a useful research tool for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as useful screening test tool.