How does methylphenidate work in an adhd patient?

Dopamine: The stimulant medications (like Adderall (dextroamphetamine and racemic amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate)), which are the best meds for adhd, work primarily by increasing the neurotransmitter Dopamine in a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which controls executive functioning, which lets you plan, shift from task to task, and focus. People with adhd have a shortage of Dopamine in this area.

Partial answer: Stimulants definitely increase dopamine, which is concentrated in a very old part of the brain called the mid-brain and, among other things, is involved in reward systems. There are strong connections between this part of the brain and the frontal cortex, which is where some problems associated with adhd seem to arise. Exactly why this works so well is still unknown.