Effects of stimulants on brain function in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Psychostimulant medication, most commonly the catecholamine agonist methylphenidate, is the most effective treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, relatively little is known on the mechanisms of action. Acute effects on brain function can elucidate underlying neurocognitive effects. We tested methylphenidate effects relative to placebo in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during three disorder-relevant tasks in medication-naïve ADHD adolescents. In addition, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the fMRI findings of acute stimulant effects on ADHD brain function.

Methods

The fMRI study compared 20 adolescents with ADHD under either placebo or methylphenidate in a randomized controlled trial while performin

SUBMITTER: Rubia K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4183380 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature