Effects of Methylphenidate in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Comparison of Behavioral Results and Event–Related Potentials

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Methylphenidate on the relationship of ERP waveform and behavioral results of children with ADHD pre-and post administration of MPH, this can be primarily used to forecast Methylphenidate effects for the children with ADHD. Methods: ERP elicited by cued-Continuous Performance Test were recorded pre-and post-administration of MPH in 28 children with ADHD and 28 healthy children, the behavioral performance were collected simultaneously. Based on the behavioral results, the patients were divided into two groups: the good performance group and the poor performance group. Comparing and analyzing the changes of ERP in two ADHD groups pre-and post administration of MPH, and comparing to the control group. Results: Post administration of MPH, the ADHD good performance group's the amplitude of NOGO-P3 was larger (P < 0.05) than that of pre administration of MPH, and was comparable to the control group (P > 0.05); No significant differences were found in the amplitude of NOGO-P3 in the poor performance group, they were significantly smaller than that of the control group; The amplitude of NOGO-N2 of two groups did not have significant differences pre-and post administration of MPH, and had no significant differences with the control group. Pre administration of MPH, there was no differences between the good performance group and the poor performance group. Conclusions: The good performance group, the amplitude of NOGO-P3 was significantly higher, however, the poor performance group had no obvious changes, and the results suggested the amplitude of NOGO-P3 pre-and postadministration of MPH were consistent with the behavioral results. Significance: According to the changes of the amplitudes of NOGO-P3, we can use the cued-CPT to predict the further curative effect of Methylphenidate on the children with ADHD.