No trials reported serious adverse events .
Subgroup analysis by dose did not identify any significant differences in effect on our primary outcomes between low- , medium- or high-dose ranges .
We found that short-term use of methylpheni date might improve symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly inattention in children with ASD who are tolerant of the medication , although the low quality of evidence means that we can not be certain of the true magnitude of any effect .
There was no evidence that methylpheni date has a negative impact on the core symptoms of ASD , or that it improves social interaction , stereotypical behaviours , or overall ASD .
BACKGROUND Children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD ) frequently present with inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity , which are the cardinal symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .
The effectiveness of methylpheni date , a commonly used ADHD treatment , is therefore of interest in these children .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of methylpheni date for symptoms of ADHD ( inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity ) and ASD ( impairments in social interaction and communication , and repetitive , restricted or stereotypical behaviours ) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with ASD .
Effects of Stimulant Medication, Incentives, and Event Rate on Reaction Time Variability in Children With ADHD
This study examined the effects of methylpheni date ( MPH ) on reaction time ( RT ) variability in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . Using a broad battery of computerized tasks , and both conventional and ex-Gaussian indicators of RT variability , in addition to within-task manipulations of incentive and event rate ( ER ) , this study comprehensively examined the breadth , specificity , and possible moderators of effects of MPH on RT variability .  A total of 93 children with ADHD completed a 4-week within-subject , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled crossover trial of MPH to identify an optimal dosage . Children were then r and omly assigned to receive either their optimal MPH dose or placebo after which they completed five neuropsychological tasks , each allowing trial-by-trial assessment of RTs . Stimulant effects on RT variability were observed on both measures of the total RT distribution ( ie , coefficient of variation ) as well as on an ex-Gaussian measure examining the exponential portion of the RT distribution ( ie , τ ) . There was minimal , if any , effect of MPH  on performance accuracy or RT speed . Within-task incentive and ER manipulations did not appreciably affect stimulant effects across the tasks . The pattern of significant and pervasive effects of MPH on RT variability , and few effects of MPH  on accuracy and RT speed suggest that MPH primarily affects RT variability . Given the magnitude and breadth of effects of MPH on RT variability as well as the apparent specificity of these effects of MPH on RT variability indicators , future research should focus on neurophysiological correlates of effects of MPH on RT variability in an effort to better define MPH pharmacodynamics
No trials reported serious adverse events .
Subgroup analysis by dose did not identify any significant differences in effect on our primary outcomes between low- , medium- or high-dose ranges .
We found that short-term use of methylpheni date might improve symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly inattention in children with ASD who are tolerant of the medication , although the low quality of evidence means that we can not be certain of the true magnitude of any effect .
There was no evidence that methylpheni date has a negative impact on the core symptoms of ASD , or that it improves social interaction , stereotypical behaviours , or overall ASD .
BACKGROUND Children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD ) frequently present with inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity , which are the cardinal symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .
The effectiveness of methylpheni date , a commonly used ADHD treatment , is therefore of interest in these children .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of methylpheni date for symptoms of ADHD ( inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity ) and ASD ( impairments in social interaction and communication , and repetitive , restricted or stereotypical behaviours ) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with ASD .