Methylphenidate does not improve cognitive function in healthy sleep-deprived young adults

Journal of Investigative Medicine : the Official Publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
Christopher L BrayPeter W Stacpoole

Abstract

Abuse of methylphenidate, a treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is reported to be increasing among students for the purpose of improving cognition. A single capsule, containing methylphenidate (20 mg) or placebo, was administered to healthy young adults orally following 24 hours of sleep deprivation. Measurements included percent change in score from sleep-deprived baseline on four standardized tests of cognitive function: Hopkins Verbal Learning, Digit Span, Modified Stroop, and Trail Making tests. Measurements also included percent changes in blood pressure and heart rate from sleep-deprived baseline and plasma methylphenidate concentration. Differences in cognitive test performance were not observed between intervention groups. In subjects receiving methylphenidate, mean percent changes from baseline for systolic blood pressure and heart rate were increased relative to placebo between 90 and 210 minutes following capsule administration (maximum increases of 9.45% and 11.03%, respectively). The timing of peak differences in physiologic measures did not correlate with peak serum methylphenidate concentrations. Exit questionnaire ratings of "capsule effect" and perceived performance on the postcapsule adminis...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 22, 2012·Mediators of Inflammation·Lynne SykesPhillip R Bennett
Jun 20, 2008·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Chris DoddsTom Manly
Aug 22, 2008·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Nora D VolkowMillard Jayne
Feb 2, 2012·Sleep·Gislaine de Almeida Valverde ZaniniSabine Pompéia
Jun 6, 2009·Developmental Psychobiology·Veronika EngertJens C Pruessner
Jul 26, 2012·Neuropharmacology·Martin DreslerDimitris Repantis
Nov 8, 2005·Journal of Psychopharmacology·Kim P C Kuypers, Jan G Ramaekers

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