Emotional dysregulation (ED) is an important outcome moderator of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We previously found that acute administration of methylphenidate age-dependently modulated neural mechanisms underlying ED, i.e., amygdala reactivity, but effects of chronic methylphenidate administration remain unknown. Following randomization to 16 weeks of methylphenidate or placebo treatment, we here report a lasting improvement in ED, depressive and anxiety symptoms in ADHD children, whereas a transient improvement of ED and depressive symptoms occurred in adults, independent of treatment condition. Although depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline negatively predicted ADHD symptom change in adults, age-dependent effects on amygdala reactivity were absent.
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