METHYLPHENIDATE AND ATTENTIONAL TRAINING - COMPARATIVE EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR AND NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN TWIN GIRLS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER/

The effectiveness of four doses (5-mg, 10-mg, 15-mg, 20-mg) of methylp henidate (MPH) and attentional training (AT) were evaluated using neur ocognitive instruments (Continuous Performance Test; Matching Unfamili ar Figures Test), narrow- and broad-band rating scales in the context of a double-blind, placebo-control, within-subject reversal design for dizygotic twin girls with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (A DHD). Both interventions proved effective for improving neurocognitive test performance and behavior, although broad-band ratings revealed d ose-response curves different from those obtained from the neurocognit ive tests. Implications for clinical management of girls with ADHD are discussed.