Neurocognitive performance differences between ADHD boys at baseline and after methylphenidate treatment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been the focus of many discussions by school personnel and parents over the past years as more children are diagnosed as having trouble with attention and hyperactivity. Psychologists have been researching this disorder so as to develop better diagnostic instruments and plan for appropriate treatments. This study was conducted to answer two questions. First, what are the baseline, untreated differences between ADHD and normal boys on tasks that require the use of attentional and planning portions of the brain? Second, when half of the ADHD boys are treated with Methylphenidate (MPH), is there a significant improvement in their performance as compared to ADHD boys that took a placebo? Results from this study indicate that there were differences between ADHD and normal boys when selective and receptive attention is required and MPH did improve their performance.