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 .
Sustaining executive functions during sleep deprivation: A comparison of caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil.
OBJECTIVES Stimulant medications appear effective at restoring simple alertness and psychomotor vigilance in sleep deprived individuals , but it is not clear whether these medications are effective at restoring higher order complex cognitive capacities such as planning , sequencing , and decision making . DESIGN After 44 hours awake , participants received a double-blind dose of one of 3 stimulant medications or placebo . After 45 - 50 hours awake , participants were tested on computerized versions of the 5-Ring Tower of Hanoi ( TOH ) , the Tower of London ( TOL ) , and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ( WCST ) .  SETTING In-residence sleep-laboratory facility at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research . PARTICIPANTS Fifty-four healthy adults ( 29 men , 25 women ) , ranging in age from 18 to 36 years . INTERVENTIONS Participants were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 stimulant medication groups , including caffeine , 600 mg ( n=12 ) , modafinil , 400 mg ( n=12 ) , dextroamphetamine , 20 mg ( n=16 ) , or placebo ( n=14 ) . MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS At the doses tested , modafinil and dextroamphetamine groups completed the TOL task in significantly fewer moves than the placebo group , and the modafinil group demonstrated greater deliberation before making moves . In contrast , subjects receiving caffeine completed the TOH in fewer moves than all 3 of the other groups , although speed of completion was not influenced by the stimulants . Finally , the modafinil group outperformed all other groups on indices of perseverative responding and perseverative errors from the WCST . CONCLUSIONS Although comparisons across tasks can not be made due to the different times of administration , within-task comparisons suggest that , at the doses tested here , each stimulant may produce differential advantages depending on the cognitive dem and s of the task
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 .