Methylphenidate significantly improves declarative memory functioning of adults with ADHD

Joris C Verster, Evelijne M Bekker, J J Sandra Kooij, Jan K Buitelaar, Marinus N Verbaten, Edmund R Volkerts, Berend Olivier, Joris C Verster, Evelijne M Bekker, J J Sandra Kooij, Jan K Buitelaar, Marinus N Verbaten, Edmund R Volkerts, Berend Olivier

Abstract

Background: Declarative memory deficits are common in untreated adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but limited evidence exists to support improvement after treatment with methylphenidate. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of methylphenidate on memory functioning of adults with ADHD.

Methods: Eighteen adults with ADHD who were clinical responders to methylphenidate participated in this randomized crossover trial. After 3 days of no treatment, patients received in random order either their usual methylphenidate dose (mean: 14.7 mg; range: 10-30 mg) or placebo, separated by a 6-7-day washout period. Patients performed an immediate word recall test 1 h after treatment administration. Three hours after intake, patients performed the second part of the memory test (delayed word recall and a recognition test).

Results: Delayed recognition and immediate recall was similar on treatment and on placebo. Delayed word recall was significantly better in the methylphenidate than in the placebo condition (F (1, 17) = 7.0, p < 0.017). A significant correlation was found between prestudy CES-D depression scores and difference scores on delayed recall (r = 0.602, p < 0.008).

Conclusion: Methylphenidate improves declarative memory functioning in patients with ADHD. New studies should further examine whether subclinical depressive symptoms mediate the effect of methylphenidate on declarative memory.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00223561.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Results of the Word Learning Test (WLT) Mean (SE) group score after intake of methylphenidate and placebo for immediate word recall, delayed word recall and recognition. * = p 

References

    1. Barrickman LL, Perry PJ, Allen A, Kuperman S, Arndt SV, Herrmann KJ, Schumacher E. Buproprion versus methylphenidate in the treatment of attention-deficity hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1995;34:395–404. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199505000-00017.
    1. Beekman AT, Deeg DJ, Van Limbeek J, Braam AW, De Vries MZ, Van Tilburg W. Criterion validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D): results from a community-based sample of older subjects in The Netherlands. Psychol Med. 1997;27:231–235. doi: 10.1017/S0033291796003510.
    1. Bertolino A, Rubino V, Sambataro F, Blasi G, Latorre V, Fazio L, et al. Prefrontal-hippocampal coupling during memory processing is modulated by COMT Val158Met. Biol Psychiatry. 2006;60:1250–1258. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.078.
    1. Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV. Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157:816–818. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816.
    1. Buckner RL, Petersen SE, Ojemann JG, Miezin FM, Squire LR, Raichle ME. Functional anatomical studies of explicit and implicit memory retrieval tasks. J Neuroci. 1995;15:12–29.
    1. Camp-Bruno JA, Herting RL. Cognitive effects of milacemide and methylphenidate in healthy young adults. Psychopharmacol. 1994;115:46–52. doi: 10.1007/BF02244750.
    1. Conners C, Erhardt D, Sparrow E (1999) Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS). Multihealth Systems, New York
    1. Cooper NJ, Keage H, Hermens D, Williams LM, Debrota D, Clark CR, et al. The dose-dependent effect of methylphenidate on performance, cognition and psychophysiology. J Integr Neurosci. 2005;4:123–144. doi: 10.1142/S0219635205000744.
    1. Dige N, Wik G. Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder identified by neuropsychological testing. Int J Neurosci. 2005;115:169–183. doi: 10.1080/00207450590519058.
    1. Elliott R, Sahakian BJ, Matthews K, Bannerjea A, Rimmer J, Robbins TW. Effects of methylphenidate on spatial working memory and planning in healthy young adults. Psychopharmacol. 1997;131:196–206. doi: 10.1007/s002130050284.
    1. Holdnack JA, Moberg PJ, Arnold SE, Gur RC, Gur RE. Speed of processing and verbal learning deficits in adults diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Neuropsychiat Neuropsychol Behav Neurol. 1995;8:282–292.
    1. Horner WE, Johnson DE, Schmidt AW, Rollema H. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine increase histamine release in rat prefrontal cortex. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007;558:96–97. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.048.
    1. Johnson DE, Epstein JN, Waid LR, Latham PK, Voronin KE, Anton RF. Neuropsychological performance deficits in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2001;16:587–604.
    1. Jones CB, Williams R, Tookman A, King M. Psychostimulants for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, 2, Art. No.: CD006722. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006722.pub2.
    1. Kooij JJ, Buitelaar JK, Van den Oord EJ, Furer JW, Rijnders CA, Hodiamont PP. Internal and external validity of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a population-based sample of adults. Psychol Med. 2005;35:817–827. doi: 10.1017/S003329170400337X.
    1. Kordon A, Kahl KG, Wahl K. A new understanding of attention-deficit disorders—beyond the age-at-onset criterion of DSM-IV. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2006, 256 (suppl 1): I/47–I/54.
    1. Li S, Cullen WK, Anwyl R, Rowan MJ. Dopamine-dependent facilitation of LTP induction in hippocampal CA1 by exposure to spatial novelty. Nat Neurosci. 2003;6:526–531.
    1. Mehta MA, Calloway P, Sahakian BJ. Amelioration of specific working memory deficits by methylphenidate in a case of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2000;14:299–302. doi: 10.1177/026988110001400314.
    1. Mehta MA, Owen AM, Sahakian BJ, Mavaddat N, Pickard JD, Robbins TW. Methylphenidate enhances working memory by modulating discrete frontal and parietal lobe regions in the human brain. J Neurosci. 2000;20:RC65.
    1. Riordan HJ, Flashman LA, Saykin AJ, Frutiger SA, Carroll KE, Huey L. Neuropsychological correlates of methylphenidate treatment in adults ADHD with and without depression. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 1999;14:217–233.
    1. Ross RG, Harris JG, Olincy A, Radant A. Eye movement task measures inhibition and spatial working memory in adults with schizophrenia, ADHD, and a normal comparison group. Psychiatry Res. 2000;95:35–42. doi: 10.1016/S0165-1781(00)00153-0.
    1. Schacter DL, Wagner AD. Medial temporal lobe activations in fMRI and PET studies of episodic encoding and retrieval. Hippocampus. 1999;9:7–24. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-1063(1999)9:1<7::AID-HIPO2>;2-K.
    1. Seidman LJ, Biederman J, Weber W, Hatch M, Faraone SV. Neuropsychological function in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 1998;44:260–268. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00392-2.
    1. Spielberger CD. Manual for the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIform Y) Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists; 1983.
    1. Turner DC, Blackwell AD, Dowson JH, McLean A, Sahakian BJ. Neurocognitive effects of methylphenidate in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychopharmacol. 2005;178:286–295. doi: 10.1007/s00213-004-1993-5.
    1. Unrug A, Coenen A, van Luijtelaar G. Effects of the tranquillizer diazepam and the stimulant methylphenidate on alertness and memory. Neuropsychobiology. 1997;36:42–48. doi: 10.1159/000119359.
    1. Van Loon-Vervoorn WA (1985): Voorstelbaarheidswaarden van Nederlandse woorden: 4600 substantieven, 1000 verba en 500 adjectieven. Swets & Zeitlinger.
    1. Van Loon-Vervoorn WA (1986): de 15-woorden tests A en B (Een voorlopige handleiding). Universiteit Groningen.
    1. Verster JC, Bekker EM, de Roos M, Minova A, Eijken EJE, Kooij JJS, et al. Methylphenidate significantly improves driving performance of adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized crossover trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2008;22:230–239. doi: 10.1177/0269881107082946.
    1. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Mick E, Spencer TJ. A systematic assessment of tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1995;184:48–50.
    1. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Prince J, Spencer TJ, Faraone SV, Warburton R, Schleifer D, Harding M, Linehan C, Geller D. Six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled studu of desipramine for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 1996;153:1147–1153.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorer og samarbejdspartnere

Medicinske tilstande

Narkotikainterventioner

3
Abonner