[Use of methylphenidate in adults with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity]

Attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder was recently described in adults. The clinical individualization of this syndrome progressed but the categorical approach remains to be entirely completed. The residual form of the childhood disorder does not generate diagnostic problem when childhood previous history is known. ADHD without childhood history refer us to retrospective difficulties of diagnosis and various evolutions of the infantile form linked or not, with other psychiatric pathologies. Etiology remains unknown, hypothesis of an hereditary disfunction of neurotransmitters is the more studied. These patients can benefit from a psychostimulant treatment. Four controlled studies with methylphenidate demonstrated to be significantly superior to placebo. Even if there are methodological difficulties not resolved (comorbidity, homogeneous population) results are encouraging.