We found that whilst most studies employing basic testing paradigms show that modafinil intake enhances executive function , only half show improvements in attention and learning and memory , and a few even report impairments in divergent creative thinking .
In contrast , when more complex assessment s are used , modafinil appears to consistently engender enhancement of attention , executive functions , and learning .
Importantly , we did not observe any preponderances for side effects or mood changes .
Modafinil is an FDA -approved eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels , indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin , glutamate , orexin , and histamine levels , and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-amino-butrytic acid levels .
In addition to its approved use treating excessive somnolence , modafinil is thought to be used widely off-prescription for cognitive enhancement .
However , despite this popularity , there has been little consensus on the extent and nature of the cognitive effects of modafinil in healthy , non-sleep-deprived humans .
Comparing the Stimulant Effects of the H1-Antagonist Fexofenadine With 2 Psychostimulants, Modafinil and Methylphenidate
Background Although antihistamines are known for their sedative adverse effects , fexofenadine was previously shown to have stimulating effects . These stimulant effects were rather mild in magnitude and were only demonstrated in tasks with a high workload . Aim The present study was set up to compare the magnitude of the stimulant effect of fexofenadine with those of 2 psychostimulants , modafinil and methylpheni date . Method Sixteen healthy volunteers ( 5 males and 11 females ; mean age , 21.8 years ) participated in a 4-way , placebo-controlled , crossover study . The effects of fexofenadine ( 360 mg ) , modafinil ( 200 mg ) , methylpheni date ( 20 mg ) , and placebo were compared in a critical tracking , divided attention , motor impulsivity , and vigilance task . Results In this study , no significant stimulant effects of fexofenadine were found in any of the tasks . Modafinil only improved reaction time in the vigilance task , whereas methylpheni date improved performance in the divided attention and vigilance tasks . In addition , performance after methylpheni date treatment was also better than after fexofenadine in the divided attention and vigilance tasks . Conclusion From the results , it can be concluded that the stimulating effects of methylpheni date are confirmed , whereas the stimulating effects of fexofenadine were not demonstrated in this study . It is evident that the stimulating effects of fexofenadine , which were apparent in previous studies , are not of the same magnitude as the effects of known psychostimulants such as methylpheni date
We found that whilst most studies employing basic testing paradigms show that modafinil intake enhances executive function , only half show improvements in attention and learning and memory , and a few even report impairments in divergent creative thinking .
In contrast , when more complex assessment s are used , modafinil appears to consistently engender enhancement of attention , executive functions , and learning .
Importantly , we did not observe any preponderances for side effects or mood changes .
Modafinil is an FDA -approved eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels , indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin , glutamate , orexin , and histamine levels , and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-amino-butrytic acid levels .
In addition to its approved use treating excessive somnolence , modafinil is thought to be used widely off-prescription for cognitive enhancement .
However , despite this popularity , there has been little consensus on the extent and nature of the cognitive effects of modafinil in healthy , non-sleep-deprived humans .