Sex Differences in Comorbidities and Response to Stimulant Meds

New study finds that girls are more likely than boys to have comorbid anxiety with ADHD, and react differently to stimulant medication.

A new study on sex differences in response to stimulant medication in children with ADHD found that girls and boys react differently to the medication, and uncovered differences in the prevalence of common comorbidities.

The double-blind placebo trial measured the response in 184 children (48 females, 136 males) to a once-daily methylphenidate preparation. Researchers found that the girls were much more likely to have an anxiety disorder in addition to ADHD. Girls also broke down the medication on a different timeline, showing a statistically superior response 1.5 hours after dosing, and an inferior response at the 12-hour mark. The study recommends additional assessments later in the day to determine the optimal dose for females taking methylphenidate.

The study was published in the June 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.