Related Experiment Videos
Clinical effects of methylphenidate and thioridazine in intellectually subaverage children
M G Aman1, R E Marks, S H Turbott
1Nisonger Center for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1296.
Insights
Methylphenidate significantly reduced problem behaviors in children with attention deficit disorder and conduct disorder, especially in higher-functioning individuals. Lower-functioning children showed less positive responses to this stimulant medication.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention deficit disorder and conduct disorder are common psychiatric conditions in children.
- Subaverage IQs can complicate treatment and influence drug response.
- Understanding medication efficacy in relation to cognitive function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of methylphenidate and thioridazine in children with attention deficit disorder and/or conduct disorder.
- To investigate the influence of cognitive factors, such as IQ and attention, on stimulant drug response.
- To compare the effects of methylphenidate and thioridazine on behavioral problems.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 30 children with subaverage IQs.
- Each child received methylphenidate, thioridazine, and placebo for three-week periods.
- Subjects were analyzed based on an attentional model, including breadth of attention, mental age, and IQ level.
Main Results:
- Methylphenidate demonstrated a significant reduction in teacher-rated problem behaviors.
- Parent ratings did not show significant group-wide behavioral effects.
- Higher-functioning children responded favorably to methylphenidate, while lower-functioning children showed adverse or indifferent responses.
- Thioridazine showed less clinical response compared to methylphenidate, with improvements mainly in conduct and hyperactivity.
Conclusions:
- Methylphenidate is effective in reducing behavioral problems in children with attention deficit disorder and conduct disorder, particularly in those with higher cognitive functioning.
- Mental age and IQ are significant determinants of positive response to methylphenidate.
- Children with lower IQs and mental ages are less likely to benefit from methylphenidate treatment.
Abstract:
Thirty children with subaverage IQs and psychiatric diagnoses of attention deficit disorder and/or or conduct disorder took part in a double-blind study of placebo, methylphenidate, and thioridazine, which were given for 3 weeks each. The results showed a consistent and highly significant effect of methylphenidate in reducing teacher ratings of problem behavior. Parent ratings showed no behavioral effects for the group as a whole. An attentional model of stimulant drug response was used to divide subjects according to a cognitive maturity domain presumed to reflect selective attention. When divided according to breadth of attention, mental age, and IQ level, higher functioning subjects were found to show a generally favorable response to methylphenidate on both teacher and parent rating scales, whereas children of low functional level typically showed an adverse or indifferent response. The present data suggest that mental age and IQ may be important determinants of drug response; below a given level, there was a greatly reduced likelihood of responding positively. Clinical response to thioridazine was substantially less than the response to methylphenidate, with significant improvements confined to conduct and hyperactivity problems on teacher ratings.