Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 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

Methylphenidate in children with oppositional defiant disorder and both comorbid chronic multiple tic disorder and

Kenneth D Gadow1, Edith E Nolan, Jeffrey Sverd

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8790, USA. kenneth.gadow@stonybrook.edu

Journal of Child Neurology
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Immediate-release methylphenidate effectively treats oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD behaviors in children with chronic tic disorder. Treatment benefits varied by disorder, informant, and specific behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur in children.
  • Chronic multiple tic disorder (CMTD) adds complexity to treatment decisions for these children.
  • Understanding the efficacy of stimulant medication in comorbid conditions is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of immediate-release methylphenidate for ODD in children with comorbid ADHD and CMTD.
  • To assess the impact of methylphenidate on both oppositional and ADHD symptoms.
  • To explore factors influencing treatment response, including disorder type and informant.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 31 children aged 6-12 years with ADHD and CMTD.
  • Children received placebo and three doses of methylphenidate twice daily for two-week periods.
  • Assessments included standardized rating scales and laboratory measures for behavioral evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Methylphenidate significantly improved both oppositional and ADHD behaviors.
  • Treatment effects were more pronounced for ADHD symptoms than oppositional behaviors.
  • Informant (teacher vs. mother) and specific oppositional behaviors influenced the perceived magnitude of treatment effect.

Conclusions:

  • Immediate-release methylphenidate is a viable short-term treatment for oppositional behaviors in children with comorbid ADHD and CMTD.
  • Comorbidity can influence how treatment benefits for ADHD are perceived, particularly by mothers.
  • Treatment response is multifactorial, influenced by the specific disorder, assessment method, and reporting source.

More Related Videos

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

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

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.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents01:28

Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents

Mixed-action adrenergic agonists, like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, directly and indirectly affect adrenergic receptors. These agents stimulate adrenoceptors and indirectly release stored neurotransmitters, amplifying the adrenergic response.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...