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 .
Effects of methylphenidate on spatial working memory and planning in healthy young adults
Abstract Previous studies of the effects of the psychomotor stimulant , methylpheni date , have concentrated on vigilance and reaction time tasks . In this study , the effects of methylpheni date on more complex aspects of cognition were studied using tasks from the CANTAB battery and related tests which have been shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction . Twenty-eight young healthy men participated in a counterbalanced , double-blind , placebo-controlled study of the effects of methylpheni date .  Cognitive assessment included tests of spatial working memory , planning , verbal fluency , attentional set-shifting and sustained attention .  Methylpheni date had significant effects on performance of the tests of spatial working memory and planning but not on the attentional and fluency tests . When the drug was taken on the first test session , performance on the spatial tests was enhanced by the drug compared to placebo . However , when the drug was taken second , performance accuracy was impaired whereas response latencies were decreased . These results are consistent with a hypothesis that methylpheni date influences performance in two conflicting ways ; enhancing executive aspects of spatial function on novel tasks but impairing previously established performance . This pattern of effects is discussed within the framework of dual , interacting arousal mechanisms
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 .