A large, new study found that the stimulant methylphenidate, such as the drugs Ritalin and Concerta, may lower the risk of psychosis when prescribed to younger children with ADHD.
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been identified to be at greater risk of developing psychotic conditions such as bipolar or schizophrenia, compared with neurotypical kids. Some studies have suggested a link to stimulants prescribed for ADHD.
The findings, published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry, found no difference in psychosis risk between children who were treated with methylphenidate — considered the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD — and those who were not. In fact, sustained methylphenidate treatment, when prescribed to children under age 13, for three to four years appeared to lower the risk.
Approximately 3.5 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 in the United States are prescribed ADHD medications.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University College
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