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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Sep;47(5):838-45.
doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01001.x. Epub 2010 Mar 10.

Methylphenidate enhances prepulse inhibition during processing of task-relevant stimuli in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Rebecca L Ashare  1 , Larry W Hawk Jr, Keri Shiels, Jessica D Rhodes, William E Pelham Jr, James G Waxmonsky
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Methylphenidate enhances prepulse inhibition during processing of task-relevant stimuli in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Rebecca L Ashare et al. Psychophysiology. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and disinhibition, including the inability to screen out distracting stimuli. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle indexes a related gating process and is enhanced during attended compared to ignored stimuli. We predicted that PPI during attended stimuli would be enhanced by the stimulant methylphenidate (MPH) and that this effect would be moderated by baseline PPI. Children with ADHD (n=36) completed a baseline day and a randomized, double-blind medication trial (placebo vs. sustained release MPH). Bilateral startle eyeblink EMG was measured during a tone discrimination task. MPH enhanced PPI during attended, but not during ignored stimuli. Extending findings that pretreatment functioning moderates stimulant effects on PPI, this effect tended to be inversely related to baseline PPI. These data fit with the clinical literature on ADHD and the hypothesis that MPH enhances interference control for important environmental stimuli.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean (SE) percent prepulse inhibition for all Dose × Attend conditions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effect of MPH v. Placebo on PPI of startle during attended and ignored prepulses as a function of baseline PPI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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