METHYLPHENIDATE AND DESIPRAMINE IN HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN .1. SEPARATE AND COMBINED EFFECTS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Objective: The separate and combined effects of methylphenidate and desipramine on cognitive function were investigated in 16 psychiatrically hospitalized children with primary, secondary, and mixed features of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and mood disorder. Method: A double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover design was used to investigate drug effects on vigilance, short-term memory, visual problem solving, and higher-order learning. Results: Methylphenidate alone improved vigilance, both drugs positively affected short-term memory and visual problem solving, and combined drugs affected learning of higher-order relationships. Conclusions: Separate and combined drug effects are related to the specific cognitive domain assessed and have implications for neurotransmitter models of action.