Appetite hormones, neuropsychological function and methylphenidate use in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Appetite hormones may play a significant role in neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity and may also affect brain function development. This study aimed to explore the role of appetite hormones in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including aspects of pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, and side effects. We recruited 119 patients with ADHD who were undergoing methylphenidate treatment (ADHD+MPH), 77 unmedicated ADHD patients (ADHD-MPH), and 87 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from all participants to examine serum levels of orexin A, ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, and visual and auditory attention were evaluated using computerized neuropsychological tests. The side effects of methylphenidate treatment were measured using Barkley's Side Effects Rating Scale. Orexin levels in the control group were significantly higher than in the ADHD-MPH (p=0.037) and ADHD+MPH (p<0.001) groups; additionally, orexin levels in the ADHD-MPH group were significantly higher than in the ADHD+MPH group (p=0.032). Leptin levels in both the ADHD+MPH (p=0.011) and ADHD-MPH (p=0.011) groups were significantly lower than in the control group. Ghrelin levels were positively associated with auditory attention across all ADHD groups (p=0.015). Furthermore, ghrelin levels were positively correlated with methylphenidate dosage (p=0.024), and negatively correlated with methylphenidate side effects (p=0.044) in the ADHD+MPH group. These findings provide further insight into the relationships between appetite hormones, pharmacotherapy, and ADHD. Orexin A and leptin are associated with the etiology of ADHD, while orexin A and ghrelin play important roles in attention deficits and methylphenidate usage in ADHD.

Lai KY ，Li CJ ，Tsai CS ，Chou WJ ，Huang WT ，You HL ，Lee SY ，Wang LJ ... -  《-》

Effect of methylphenidate treatment on appetite and levels of leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in children and adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

Sahin S ，Yuce M ，Alacam H ，Karabekiroglu K ，Say GN ，Salıs O ... -  《-》

Effects of methylphenidate on leptin and appetite in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: an open label trial.

Appetite suppression is one of the most common side effects of methylphenidate (MPH), which is used for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Relation of appetite and leptin is well known but there is no report regarding MPH use and leptin. In this study we compared the baseline leptin levels of ADHD children with the controls and studied the interaction between MPH and leptin-insulin level in ADHD children under MPH treatment. The major finding of this study is that at a total daily dose of 0.6 mg/kg short-acting MPH treatment, one does not observe significant side effects related to appetite suppression and metabolic features as measured via body mass index, insulin and leptin levels. Thus this range seems to be safe in developing ADHD children with minimum side effects regarding appetite for short-term treatment.

Işeri E ，Kiliç BG ，Senol S ，Karabacak NI ... -  《methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology》

Remission in children and adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder via an effective and tolerable titration scheme for osmotic release oral system methylphenidate.

Chou WJ ，Chen SJ ，Chen YS ，Liang HY ，Lin CC ，Tang CS ，Huang YS ，Yeh CB ，Chou MC ，Lin DY ，Hou PH ，Wu YY ，Liu HJ ，Huang YF ，Hwang KL ，Chan CH ，Pan CH ，Chang HL ，Huang CF ，Hsu JW ... -  《-》

Effects of methylphenidate on body index and physical fitness in Korean children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The side effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on growth remain a controversial concern. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MPH on clinical symptoms, growth, and physical fitness in Korean children. Fifty male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with methylphenidate (MPH-ADHD), 69 MPH-naïve male children with ADHD (Naïve-ADHD), and 60 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Intelligence quotient (IQ), clinical symptoms of ADHD, body index (height, weight, and body mass index [BMI]), and physical fitness (muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, speed, and balance) were assessed. Total IQ and performance IQ scores were significantly different among the three groups, as were mean Korean Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (K-ARS)-total, K-ARS-inattention, and K-ARS-hyperactivity scores. There was no significant difference in height, weight, or BMI among the three groups. There were significant differences in skill-related fitness scores for balance (healthy controls > MPH-ADHD > Naïve-ADHD) and agility shuttle test time (healthy controls < MPH-ADHD < Naïve-ADHD). Our findings support the effectiveness of MPH treatment for improving IQ, attention, and balance and agility measures of skill-related fitness in Korean children with ADHD. MPH was not associated with growth delays in height, weight, and BMI.

Kang KD ，Yun SW ，Chung U ，Kim TH ，Park JH ，Park IH ，Han DH ... -  《-》