Effects of osmotic-release methylphenidate in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as measured by event-related potentials

Aim: Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively common central nervous system disorder in school‐age children, which may involve a specific disorder in cognition and/or information processing. Event‐related potentials (ERP) are commonly used as physiological measures of cognitive function as they are easily measured and non‐invasive. Thus, in the present study, we examined the effects of osmotic‐release methylphenidate (MPH) (Concerta), a common treatment for childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in ADHD children as measured by ERP. Methods: Ten ADHD children participated after giving consent. Based on the guidelines for evoked potential measurement, mismatch negativity (MMN) and P300 were obtained by auditory odd‐ball tasks. We measured both MMN and P300 in the drug‐naive condition and after intake of osmotic‐release MPH. Results: The MMN amplitudes after intake of osmotic‐release MPH were significantly greater than those in the drug‐naive situation at Pz and C4. The P300 amplitudes after intake of osmotic‐release MPH were significantly greater than those in the drug‐naive situation at Cz and Pz. Conclusion: MMN and P300 are sensitive tools for measuring the pharmacological effects of osmotic‐release MPH in ADHD children.