Effects of Extended-Release Methylphenidate Treatment on Cognitive Task Performance in Children with Autism Spectrum...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychopharmacology

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Psychostimulant medication, such as methylphenidate (MPH), is commonly used to manage ADHD symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different doses of combined extended-release methylphenidate (ER-MPH) and immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH) on cognitive task performance in children with ASD and ADHD.
• To determine the dose-response relationship of MPH in this population.

Main Methods:

• A within-subject, crossover, placebo-controlled design was employed.
• Twenty-four elementary school-aged children meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for ASD and ADHD symptoms participated.
• Participants received placebo or one of three MPH dose regimens (low, medium, high) for one week each.

Main Results:

• MPH treatment significantly enhanced performance on cognitive tasks measuring sustained attention, selective attention, and impulsivity/inhibition.
• A generally linear dose-response relationship was observed within the studied dose range.
• No performance deterioration was noted at higher MPH doses.

Conclusions:

• Methylphenidate (MPH) formulations demonstrate significant improvements in cognitive task performance for children with both ASD and ADHD.
• MPH is a potentially effective treatment for cognitive deficits associated with comorbid ASD and ADHD.