Methylphenidate in children with seizures and attention-deficit disorder

H. Feldman, P. Crumrine, B. L. Handen, R. Alvin and J. Teodori
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa 15213.

This study assessed the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate in children with seizures and attention-deficit disorder. Ten children, aged 6 years 10 months to 10 years 10 months, without seizures while receiving a single antiepileptic drug, were evaluated in a double-blind medication-placebo crossover study with methylphenidate hydrochloride was administered at 0.3 mg/kg per dose and given at 8 AM and 12 PM on school days only. The use of methylphenidate was associated with statistically significant improvements on the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale and on the Finger Tapping Task and with trends toward improvement on the Matching Familiar Figures Test and Discriminant Reaction Time tests. No child had seizures during the study period nor subsequently for those who continued receiving psychostimulants. There were no significant changes of epileptiform features or back-ground activity on electroencephalograms and no alterations in antiepileptic drug levels. Methylphenidate may be a safe and effective treatment for certain children with seizures and concurrent attention-deficit disorder.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents Who Have Epilepsy
Jones et al.
Pediatr. Rev. 2008;29:e9-e14.
FULL TEXT  

Optimizing therapy of seizures in children and adolescents with ADHD
Aldenkamp et al.
Neurology 2006;67:S49-S51.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, methylphenidate, and epilepsy
Tan and Appleton
Arch. Dis. Child. 2005;90:57-59.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Initial treatment of epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs: Pediatric issues
Sankar
Neurology 2004;63:S30-S39.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Understanding co-morbidities affecting children with epilepsy
Pellock
Neurology 2004;62:S17-23.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Speed of Performance of Children With Developmental Right Hemisphere Syndrome and With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Landau et al.
J Child Neurol 2003;18:264-268.
ABSTRACT  

Use of Methylphenidate for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Patients With Epilepsy or Electroencephalographic Abnormalities
Gucuyener et al.
J Child Neurol 2003;18:109-112.
ABSTRACT  

Clinical Practice Guideline: Treatment of the School-Aged Child With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Di and Committee on Quality Improvement
Pediatrics 2001;108:1033-1044.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Clinical Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Voeller
J Child Neurol 1991;6:S51-S67.
ABSTRACT