AUTHOR=Dimitri Danilo , Delia Giuliana , Arduino Maurizio , Turco Nazarena , Fioretto Franco 

TITLE=Observing the behavioural effects of methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ASD-ADHD dual diagnosis: A mini review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

VOLUME=2

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/child-and-adolescent-psychiatry/articles/10.3389/frcha.2023.1052115

DOI=10.3389/frcha.2023.1052115

ISSN=2813-4540

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Research aim</title><p>The aim of this study is to focus on the main neurophysiological aspects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the current pharmacological treatment used for the management of hyperactivity and attention deficits in children aged 6-20 years with a diagnosis of ASD, not associated with other genetic or epileptic disorders, such as Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), Tuberous Sclerosis, Kleefstra Syndrome or Angelman Syndrome.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This mini review was conducted according to the <italic>P</italic>.I.C.O. model and according to the PRISMA guidelines. The keywords used were: <italic>autism spectrum disorder</italic>; <italic>attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</italic>; <italic>attention deficit disorder</italic>; <italic>methylphenidate</italic>; <italic>ritalin</italic>; <italic>ADHD</italic>; <italic>youth autism</italic>; <italic>childhood autism</italic>; <italic>childhood autism spectrum disorder</italic>; <italic>adolescent autism</italic>. The strings produced were compared and selected by a third independent clinician. The PubMed and PsycArticles search yielded a total of 3,200 articles. For their inclusion, the 3,200 articles were examined by two clinicians who ultimately selected 28 (15 clinical trials and 13 reviews/meta-analyses) articles analysed according to their consistency with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>Three main aspects emerged from the review: (1) According to the existing literature, new randomized controlled trials are needed to ensure a better understanding of the most effective drug treatments for dual-diagnosed ASD-ADHD patients and of the related behavioural effects. Currently, the use of drugs varies depending on psychiatric comorbidity, symptoms, age and gender and there is no univocal reference therapy; (2) Methylphenidate (MPH) has currently been shown to be the most suitable drug for the treatment of hyperactivity and inattention in individuals diagnosed with ASD and ADHD; (3) There is a need to create and evaluate appropriate tests to analyse more specific patterns of behaviour presented in the two conditions.</p></sec>