The Effects of methylphenidate on the learning of paired associates by hyperactive children.

The stimulant drug methylphenidate was administered in a double-blind placebo controlled study to clinically predetermined stimulant responsive hyperactive children. Using a paired associated learning task the paired associate learning rates of 12 drugged hyperactive children were compared to the paired associated learning rates of 12 placebo drugged hyperactive children and to the paired associate learning rates of 12 non-hyperactive children. An analysis of variance and multiple t-test revealed during the early trials of learning a significant difference between the learning rates of non-hyperactive children and the learning rates of placebo drugged hyperactive children. Implications for using a different experimental design when testing for the effect of methylphenidate on hyperactive children are discussed.