Methylphenidate and thioridazine: Learning, reaction time, activity, and classroom behavior in disturbed children.

Twelve emotionally disturbed underachieving boys in a special education class served as their own controls in a three-factor study: drug (methylphenidate, thioridazine, and placebo), dosage (low and high), and number of stimuli displayed. Methylphenidate significantly increased correct responding, decreased reaction times and hyperactivity, and significantly increased attention and cooperative behavior in the classroom.