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 .
Age-dependent and age-independent human memory persistence is enhanced by delayed posttraining methylphenidate administration
Healthy human volunteers 16–82 years of age with at least 10 years of schooling were exposed to two different memory tasks . The first task involved incidental memory . The subjects were asked , as casually as possible : “ Did you watch any movie on TV 2 days ago ? And 7 days ago ? If so , do you remember the title of the movie(s ) and the name of the first two actors ( actresses ) ? ” Retention scores ( maximum = 3 : title , actor 1 , and actor 2 ) were equally high ( overall mean = 2.6 , n = 61 ) in all age groups ( 16–20 , 21–30 , 31–40 , 41–60 , and 61–82 years ) for the day 2 scores . Scores for the movie seen 7 days before decreased significantly and progressively in the three older groups in relation to age , which indicates reduced persistence of this type of memory beginning at the age of 41–50 years and becoming more extensive over the years . The other task was a formal memory procedure . Subjects were asked to study a brief text with factual information on the 1954 World Soccer Cup for 10 min . They were then exposed to 10 questions on the text 2 days and , again , 7 days later . Retention scores declined between the two tests , but in this task , the decline of persistence occurred to a similar extent in all age groups , and thus was not dependent on age . Methylpheni date ( 10 mg p.o . ) given 12 hours after acquisition markedly enhanced persistence of the two memory types . This suggests an involvement of dopaminergic processes in persistence in the late posttraining period
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 .