A double-blind, crossover comparison of methylphenidate and placebo in adults with childhood-onset attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are few controlled studies of methylphenidate hydrochloride in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and their results have been equivocal. The discrepancies among these studies may be related to low doses, diagnostic uncertainties, and lack of attention to comorbid disorders. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, 7-week, placebo-controlled, crossover study of methylphenidate in 23 adult patients with DSM-III-R ADHD using standardized instruments for diagnosis, separate assessments of ADHD and depressive and anxiety symptoms, and a robust daily dose of methylphenidate hydrochloride, 1.0 mg/kg per day. RESULTS: We found a marked therapeutic response for methylphenidate treatment of ADHD symptoms that exceeded the placebo response (78% vs 4%, P < .0001). Response to methylphenidate was independent of gender, psychiatric comorbidity with anxiety or moderate depression, or family history of psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION: Robust doses of methylphenidate are effective in the treatment of adult ADHD.
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The ADHD rating scale has been shown to be sensitive to medication treatment effects in pediatric and adult samples.
“This scale has been shown to be sensitive to medication treatment effects in pediatric13 and adult samples.14,15”
From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Relaxation With Educational Support for Medication-Treated Adults With ADHD and Persistent Symptoms (2010) · cites this paper as [14]
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- Authors
- Spencer, T.
- Affiliations
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Spencer, Thomas
- Venue
- Archives of General Psychiatry
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 1995-06-01
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 434
- ISSN
- 0003-990X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1989428478
- Cited by
- 402
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 13.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of General Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- methylphenidate, adult ADHD, childhood-onset ADHD, ADHD medication, placebo response, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, psychiatric comorbidity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Ambulatory Care, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Mental Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Drug Administration Schedule, Family, Female, Humans, Male, Methylphenidate, Middle Aged, Placebos, Comorbidity, Treatment Outcome, Cross-Over Studies
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