RESULTS Modafinil appears to improve reaction time ( P ≤ 0.04 ) , logical reasoning ( P ≤ 0.05 ) and problem-solving .
Across all three types of prescription stimulants , research shows improved attention with lack of consensus on whether these improvements are limited to simple versus complex tasks in varying youth population s. CONCLUSIONS The heterogeneity of the non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth population , the variation in cognitive task characteristics and lack of replication of studies makes assessing the potential global neurocognitive benefits of stimulants among non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth difficult ; however , some youth may derive benefit in specific cognitive domains
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Increasing prescription stimulant abuse among youth without diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is of concern .
The most frequently cited motive for abuse is improved academic achievement via neurocognitive enhancement .
Our aim in review ing the literature was to identify neurocognitive effects of prescription stimulants in non-ADHD youth .
Expectation to receive methylphenidate enhances subjective arousal but not cognitive performance.
Nonmedical use of prescription-stimulant medication such as methylpheni date ( MPH ) has increased among college students over the past several years . Common motivations for use include enhancements in cognition and subjective arousal . As it is unclear whether stimulant medication exerts the same effect on healthy individuals as for those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , it is possible that many reported effects of prescription stimulants by healthy individuals may stem from placebo effects , which may be an important mechanism underlying initiation and maintenance of nonmedical use . This study examined whether placebo effects influence reports of subjective mood and cognitive performance among college students who endorsed several risk factors for prescription-stimulant misuse ( i.e. , low grade point average , fraternity/sorority involvement , binge drinking , cannabis use ) . Ninety-six subjects ( 60 % male ) completed cognitive tests and question naires assessing present mood state on two occasions . Forty-seven participants were r and omized to an experimental condition and orally ingested what they believed to be MPH , though actually placebo , on one visit and received no medication on the other visit . The control group received no medication on either visit . During the administration visit , experimental participants reported feeling significantly more high and stimulated compared with the nonadministration visit and to the control subjects . However , cognitive enhancement differences were not generally seen between visits or groups . This research demonstrates that placebo effects for prescription stimulants do influence subjective mood and may be implicated in nonmedical stimulant use . This knowledge may be useful in challenging prescription-stimulant-related expectancies to decrease the prevalence of use among college students
RESULTS Modafinil appears to improve reaction time ( P ≤ 0.04 ) , logical reasoning ( P ≤ 0.05 ) and problem-solving .
Across all three types of prescription stimulants , research shows improved attention with lack of consensus on whether these improvements are limited to simple versus complex tasks in varying youth population s. CONCLUSIONS The heterogeneity of the non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth population , the variation in cognitive task characteristics and lack of replication of studies makes assessing the potential global neurocognitive benefits of stimulants among non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth difficult ; however , some youth may derive benefit in specific cognitive domains
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Increasing prescription stimulant abuse among youth without diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is of concern .
The most frequently cited motive for abuse is improved academic achievement via neurocognitive enhancement .
Our aim in review ing the literature was to identify neurocognitive effects of prescription stimulants in non-ADHD youth .