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 .
Cognitive performance following modafinil versus placebo in sleep-deprived emergency physicians: a double-blind randomized crossover study.
OBJECTIVES Modafinil has recently been approved for the treatment of shift work sleep disorder , making it potentially available for shift-working emergency physicians . The authors ' objectives were to determine whether modafinil improved cognitive performance of emergency physicians following overnight shifts and to record symptoms and subjective evaluations of the effect of modafinil on the participants . METHODS This was a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled crossover study that followed CONSORT guidelines . Participants were assigned to one of two study groups , with study sessions occurring at least seven weeks apart , and received either modafinil or placebo depending on their r and om allocation . Testing after night shifts included a coding task and an AX version of the Continuous Performance Task , both of which test cognitive function . Participants also completed visual analog scales for three subjective outcomes , and symptoms were elicited . RESULTS Modafinil facilitated performance on long interstimulus-interval AX trials ( F [ 1 , 23 ] = 6.65 , p = 0.1 ) and marginally reduced errors on AY trials in the Continuous Performance Task ( F [ 1 , 23 ] = 3.59 , p = 0.07 ) , suggesting facilitation of sustained attention , cognitive control , and working memory . Additionally , modafinil , compared with placebo , facilitated performance on the coding task at the first session . Subjective data from visual analog scales confirmed that modafinil increased perceived alertness during the simulated patient care sessions but worsened sleep onset when opportunities for sleep arose . CONCLUSIONS Modafinil increased certain aspects of cognitive function and subjectively improved participants ' ability to attend post-night-shift didactic sessions but made it more difficult for participants to fall asleep when opportunities for sleep arose
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 .