Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Effects of methylphenidate discontinuation on cerebral blood flow in prepubescent boys with attention deficit

Daniel D Langleben1, Paul D Acton, Glenn Austin

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. langlebe@mail.med.upenn.edu

Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
|December 7, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Stopping methylphenidate (MPH) temporarily increases activity in motor and anterior cingulate areas for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This suggests MPH directly affects these brain regions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Methylphenidate (MPH) is a primary symptomatic treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • The precise mechanisms underlying MPH's therapeutic effects remain incompletely understood.
  • Investigating changes in brain activity upon MPH discontinuation may elucidate its mode of action.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of discontinuing chronic methylphenidate (MPH) treatment on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in boys with ADHD.
  • To explore potential mechanisms of MPH's therapeutic action by observing brain activity changes after treatment cessation.

Main Methods:

  • SPECT imaging was used to assess rCBF in 22 prepubescent boys with ADHD and 7 healthy controls.
  • rCBF data were collected both while subjects were taking MPH and after a period of discontinuation.
  • Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was employed to analyze voxel-by-voxel rCBF changes.

Main Results:

  • Discontinuation of MPH was associated with significantly higher rCBF in the motor cortex, premotor cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex (Brodmann's areas 4, 6, and 32).
  • These findings indicate a direct or indirect modulatory effect of MPH on these specific cortical regions.

Conclusions:

  • Brief cessation of MPH treatment leads to increased activity in motor and anterior cingulate cortical areas in ADHD patients.
  • These observed changes suggest MPH directly influences motor and cingulate functions, or they may reflect withdrawal effects.
  • The study provides new insights into MPH's therapeutic mechanisms and clinical relevance for treatment interruptions.

More Related Videos

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol13:09

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol

Published on: April 1, 2018

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...
Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents01:25

Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents

Indirect-acting adrenergic agonists potentiate the effects of endogenous catecholamines through different mechanisms without directly binding to adrenoceptors.
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral bioavailability, and...