Based on a systematic review and meta- analysis we show that expectations regarding the effectiveness of these drugs exceed their actual effects , as has been demonstrated in single- or double-blind r and omised controlled trials .
For methylpheni date an improvement of memory was found , but no consistent evidence for other enhancing effects was uncovered .
Modafinil on the other h and , was found to improve attention for well-rested individuals , while maintaining wakefulness , memory and executive functions to a significantly higher degree in sleep deprived individuals than did a placebo .
However , repeated doses of modafinil were unable to prevent deterioration of cognitive performance over a longer period of sleep deprivation though maintaining wakefulness and possibly even inducing overconfidence in a person 's own cognitive performance
The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive , emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through , inter alia , the use of drugs .
Of known interventions , psychopharmacology provides readily available options , such as methylpheni date and modafinil .
Both drugs are presumed to be in widespread use as cognitive enhancers for non-medical reasons .
Methylphenidate's effects on paired-associate learning and event-related potentials of young adults.
The effects of methylpheni date ( 0.3 mg/kg ) on young adults  paired-associate learning ( PAL ) of consonant-vowel-consonant ( CVC ) pairs and concomitant event-related potentials were assessed . The stimulant elevated mood and heart rate but did not affect PAL performance . For the first CVC , there were amplitude increases with learning for P3b at Pz , P2 at midline sites , and for a negative slow wave at Cz . For the second CVC , P3b and positive slow wave amplitude declined with learning . Increases in P3b amplitude to the first CVC were attributed to increments in stimulus meaningfulness . Decreases in P3b amplitude to the second CVC were interpreted as result ing from fewer disconfirmed expectations of feedback . The negative slow wave following the first CVC was viewed as a contingent negative variation . Methylpheni date increased parietal P3b amplitude for CVC 2 , averaged over learning phases
Based on a systematic review and meta- analysis we show that expectations regarding the effectiveness of these drugs exceed their actual effects , as has been demonstrated in single- or double-blind r and omised controlled trials .
For methylpheni date an improvement of memory was found , but no consistent evidence for other enhancing effects was uncovered .
Modafinil on the other h and , was found to improve attention for well-rested individuals , while maintaining wakefulness , memory and executive functions to a significantly higher degree in sleep deprived individuals than did a placebo .
However , repeated doses of modafinil were unable to prevent deterioration of cognitive performance over a longer period of sleep deprivation though maintaining wakefulness and possibly even inducing overconfidence in a person 's own cognitive performance
The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive , emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through , inter alia , the use of drugs .
Of known interventions , psychopharmacology provides readily available options , such as methylpheni date and modafinil .
Both drugs are presumed to be in widespread use as cognitive enhancers for non-medical reasons .