Our study suggests that methylpheni date retains its efficacy in children with ADHD and borderline intellectual functioning or ID
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) frequently co-occurs with intellectual disability in children , and may further compromise learning .
Methylpheni date is a first-line treatment for ADHD , however no previous meta- analysis has evaluated its overall efficacy for ADHD in children with comorbid intellectual disability ( ID ) or borderline intellectual functioning .
Methylphenidate treatment in children with borderline IQ and mental retardation: analysis of three aggregated studies.
OBJECTIVE To determine response of low-IQ children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) symptoms to methylpheni date ( MPH ) . METHODS An aggregated analysis was conducted in 90 children with low IQ who received the same dose regimen of MPH in three independent , placebo-controlled studies . Active drug and placebo were given from 2 to 4 weeks each . Outcome measures included teacher and parent ratings on st and ardized behavior scales ( mean n = 84 ) , performance on computer-controlled cognitive-motor tests ( n = 62 ) , and measures of cardiovascular response ( n = 85 ) . RESULTS Both teachers and parents rated the children consistently as being improved on subscales assessing attention , overactivity , and conduct problems . Some 44 % of the subjects showed at least a 30 % reduction compared with placebo on teacher ratings . MPH  improved accuracy on several cognitive tests , response speed was increased on some , and seat activity declined for one of three tests ; heart rate was mildly increased ( 3.9 beats/minute ) with MPH . Analyses of IQ and mental age as moderator variables suggested that lower functional level ( especially lower IQ ) may be associated with a less favorable response to MPH . CONCLUSIONS Children with low IQ and ADHD clearly respond to MPH , but their rate of beneficial response appears to be well under that of normal-IQ children and more varied . Different attentional mechanisms may moderate response to psychostimulants
Our study suggests that methylpheni date retains its efficacy in children with ADHD and borderline intellectual functioning or ID
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) frequently co-occurs with intellectual disability in children , and may further compromise learning .
Methylpheni date is a first-line treatment for ADHD , however no previous meta- analysis has evaluated its overall efficacy for ADHD in children with comorbid intellectual disability ( ID ) or borderline intellectual functioning .