The DOI matches its Crossref record; 109 of the 109 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
What are the cognitive effects of stimulant medications? Emphasis on adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Abstract
The relevant literature concerning cognitive effects of amphetamine and methylphenidate, was reviewed, with an emphasis on research conducted in adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. As first-line treatment for ADHD, stimulant drugs are well-known to improve attention and concentration. Yet, there is increasing evidence that (as with children and adolescents), they do not promote learning and academic achievement in adult college students with ADHD. A review of neuropsychological studies indicates that, although response latencies are reduced, performance of ADHD adults on tests of 'distractibility' and 'planning' is also not consistently improved by stimulants. Studies in non-ADHD adults suggest that stimulants do not promote acquisition of new information, might improve retention of previously acquired information, and facilitate memory consolidation, but may actually impair performance of tasks that require adaptation, flexibility and planning. It is still not clear if improvement only occurs when there is a baseline deficit. Stimulants may influence cognition by their effects on physiological arousal. Regardless, the evidence does not support the conclusion that stimulants are cognitive 'enhancers.'
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“Mechanisms linking pharmacological actions of stimulants to neuropsychological processes are speculative, although our results support observations that, in adult ADHD, stimulants seem to produce little improvement on a variety of neuropsychological tasks (Advokat, 2010; Turner et al., 2005).”
From Cognitive heterogeneity in adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic analysis of neuropsychological measurements (2015) · cites this paper as Advokat, 2010
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Cites
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Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy
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Misuse and Diversion of Stimulants Prescribed for ADHD: A Systematic Review of the Literature
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Sharma, A., & Couture, J. (2014) · Annals of Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1177/1060028013510699 · Cited by 516
Smith, M. E., & Farah, M. J. (2011) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0023825 · Cited by 456
The privacy-personalization paradox in mHealth services acceptance of different age groups
Guo, X.-T., Zhang, X., & Sun, Y.-Q. (2016) · Electronic Commerce Research and Applications · doi:10.1016/j.elerap.2015.11.001 · Cited by 318
Stigma in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Mueller, A. K., Fuermaier, A. B. M., Koerts, J., & Tucha, L. (2012) · ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders · doi:10.1007/s12402-012-0085-3 · Cited by 306
Lakhan, S. E., & Kirchgessner, A. L. (2012) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.78 · Cited by 250
Metadata
- Authors
- Advokat, C.
- Affiliations
- Louisiana State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Advokat, Claire
- Venue
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-07
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1256-1266
- ISSN
- 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1984122101
- Cited by
- 219
- References
- 105
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 2.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- stimulant medication, amphetamine, methylphenidate, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adult ADHD, cognitive effects, academic performance, distractibility, planning, memory consolidation, cognitive flexibility, response latency, physiological arousal, cognitive enhancement
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Adult, Amphetamine, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Cognition Disorders, Humans, Methylphenidate, Neuropsychological Tests
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