Articles tagged with Stimulants
A new study found that children treated with ADHD stimulants experienced slower BMI growth in early childhood, followed by a rapid BMI rebound in late adolescence. Researchers suggest that stimulant use, rather than ADHD diagnosis alone, is associated with higher BMI and obesity.
A study of 2.5 million children over 14 years found no link between ADHD stimulant medications and increased stroke risk in children with or without stroke. Researchers compared medication usage before and at the time of stroke to assess potential risks.
A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that smokers addicted to cocaine or methamphetamine can quit smoking while being treated for their stimulant addiction. The study showed that treating tobacco addiction may reduce negative health consequences and improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute found that MDPV, a stimulant in 'bath salts', can induce strong cravings and repetitive behaviors similar to those seen in methamphetamine users. The study suggests MDPV may be more addictive than methamphetamine, with rats working harder to obtain the drug.
A study found that insufficient sleep raises levels of a substance in the body that controls pleasurable eating, leading to increased hunger and appetite. The research suggests that this may be due to an elevation in the endocannabinoid molecule 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is involved in signaling rewarding events and enjoyment of food.
Designer stimulants, packaged as 'bath salts' or household products, have become a growing concern in the US, with reports of agitation, fast heart rates, and violent behavior. Research suggests that these substances can be deadly, with no formal guidelines for medical treatment of acute toxicity.
Cognitive enhancement medications, used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), may not be suitable for healthy individuals due to limited evidence and potential risks. Physicians in Canada are advised to prioritize their professional integrity and limit healthcare resources by refusing prescription requests.
A new study published in Drug Testing and Analysis found that DMAA, a stimulant in many pre-workout supplements, does not originate from natural substances but is comprised of synthetic compounds. The FDA should regulate and/or ban products with significant amounts of synthetic pharmacological compounds added.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that young college men view using prescription stimulants as more necessary for academic success than using steroids. The research compared perceptions of off-label prescription drug use with those of steroid performance enhancers and discovered that students considered Addera...
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have identified the mechanism by which psychostimulant drugs reduce hyperactivity in ADHD patients. Stimulating dopamine D4 receptors in specific brain regions, such as the basal ganglia and thalamus, depresses motor activity.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that guanfacine extended release significantly improves symptoms in children with ADHD who have a suboptimal response to psychostimulants. The study, conducted by Dr. Timothy E. Wilens and colleagues, showed that adjunctive administrat...
A roundtable discussion published in Journal of Caffeine Research explores whether caffeine enhances athletic performance, with experts noting mixed study data and various factors affecting its impact. The journal also covers a wide range of effects on human health, including mood disorders and cardiovascular disease.
A study found that individual differences in response to caffeine may predict how people respond to other stimulant drugs, including amphetamine and cocaine. Caffeine 'Choosers' reported more positive effects of d-amphetamine compared to 'Nonchoosers'.
The study found a slow but steady increase in prescribed stimulant use among children and adolescents with ADHD, with higher rates among boys and white children. However, the rate of growth has slowed in recent years, suggesting that more children are being diagnosed and treated for ADHD.
The use of illicit stimulants among university students is a growing concern, with potential side effects including irregular heartbeat, overdose, depression, addiction, and death. Universities must engage in focused health education campaigns to debunk myths and expose risks, and address the root cause of stimulant use.
A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that people who abused methamphetamine had a 76% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those with no disorder. The study analyzed nearly 300,000 hospital records in California over 16 years.
A recent study found that about 25% of drivers who died in crashes tested positive for drugs, with marijuana and stimulants being the most common. The study suggests that while other drugs contribute to road deaths, alcohol remains the largest contributor to fatal crashes.
A recent study found that moderate alcohol drinkers were more likely to engage in computer tasks to receive high doses of amphetamines, indicating increased vulnerability to stimulant effects. The researchers suggest that moderate drinking may sensitize individuals to the reinforcing effects of amphetamines.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a connection between MeCP2 protein levels and psychostimulant-induced changes in adult mouse brains. The study suggests that MeCP2 may play a role in regulating the rewarding properties of stimulant drugs, which could lead to new treatments for addiction.
INTUNIV, a selective alpha-2A agonist, shows no unique adverse effects when coadministered with amphetamine or methylphenidate. The study demonstrated improved ADHD symptoms using the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) in children and adolescents.
Jean-Pol Tassin's pioneering work identified the disruption of nonadrenaline and serotonin neuron interaction as a key factor in addictive behavior. His research highlights the critical role played by monoamine inhibitors in tobacco addiction.
A teenage boy was hospitalized due to acute caffeine intoxication from consuming stimulant chewing gum. The boy's symptoms included agitation, abdominal discomfort, and increased urination, and he required close monitoring before recovering.
A study found that combining senna with magnesium citrate improved the quality of colonoscopy preparations, resulting in better completion rates and diagnostic accuracy. The addition of senna also reduced the need for repeat procedures and was generally well-tolerated by patients.
Researchers found that treatment with stimulant drugs significantly decreased the risk that girls with ADHD will begin smoking cigarettes or using alcohol or drugs. The study's results mirror those of earlier studies in boys and suggest a potential protective effect of stimulant treatment.
Energy drink manufacturers should label their products with prominent warnings about caffeine doses and potential health risks, says a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The high caffeine content of many energy drinks poses a risk to consumers, particularly young adults.
Researchers used PET imaging to assess the effects of methylphenidate on brain function in healthy adults. The study found that MP improved performance in those who needed it, but deteriorated it in others.
Researchers found that repeated methamphetamine use depresses brain areas and leads to permanent changes in neural terminals. Re-administering the drug reverses these changes, suggesting potential new treatment approaches for methamphetamine addiction.
A new study found that stimulant treatment for children with ADHD has no effect on their future risk of substance abuse. The 10-year follow-up study analyzed over 100 young men and controlled for conditions like conduct disorder, which are associated with substance abuse.
Researchers found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB play a crucial role in age-specific responses to stimulants. The study suggests that BDNF/TrkB might be used as a target for new treatments for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders or addiction.
A Mayo Clinic study of nearly 5,000 children with ADHD found that treatment with prescription stimulants was associated with improved long-term academic success. The study also showed that girls with untreated ADHD were equally vulnerable to poor school outcomes as boys and may be at risk for being undertreated.
Long-term treatment with VYVANSE shows significant efficacy in ADHD, with 95% of children experiencing overall improvement after 12 months. The study also found consistent time to maximum concentration of d-amphetamine from patient to patient.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a significant association between cocaine and amphetamine abuse and an increased risk of stroke. The use of these stimulant drugs may raise blood pressure and contribute to narrowing blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
A study by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System found that OROS methylphenidate (Concerta) improves driving performance in teen drivers with ADHD, reducing inattentive and hyperactive errors. The study suggests Concerta should be the initial treatment for teens with ADHD.
Long-acting mixed amphetamine salts (MAS XR) and immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts showed similar efficacy to short- or long-acting methylphenidates. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate are more effective in treating ADHD symptoms, according to the study.
Researchers found that individuals with ADHD were more likely to misuse their medication, particularly selling or taking too much. Immediate release stimulants were most prone to misuse, while extended release formulations were not targeted by abusers.
The study found that subjective responses to cocaine peak and decline more rapidly than those of methamphetamine. Cardiovascular responses are similar at onset but respond differently over time.
A novel imaging technique has found abnormality of fiber pathways in frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum in children with ADHD. This research suggests that subtle anatomical differences may be involved in the disorder, contrary to the traditional view of a chemical imbalance.
A Mayo Clinic study found that physical training is more effective than amphetamine use in improving motor function after a stroke. The research team's experiment used brain-damaged rats to demonstrate the power of physical training in recovery.
Researchers found that amphetamine and cocaine exposure blocked environmental-induced structural changes in the nucleus accumbens and parietal cortex. Exposure to complex environments increased dendritic branching and spine density in these areas, but was hindered by prior drug exposure.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that treating children with ADHD with stimulants significantly reduces the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The researchers analyzed data from six long-term studies and found a two-fold reduction in SUD risks among treated youths compared to untreated peers.
A study by Express Scripts found that stimulant prescription claims for school-age children are concentrated in the South and Midwest, with higher-income communities also showing higher usage. States like Louisiana had a rate of 6.5 stimulant prescriptions per 100 eligible, while the District of Columbia had a much lower rate of 1.6.
A meta-analysis of six studies involving over 1,000 participants with ADHD found that stimulant treatment significantly reduces the risk of subsequent substance abuse. The protective effect was strongest in adolescents and decreased in young adults.
Female mice displayed higher sensitivity to amphetamines before and after puberty, differing from male mice who showed no changes, according to a study published by the American Physiological Society.
The study explores the sanctioned and unsanctioned use of stimulants among Canadian adolescents. It highlights concerns about parental and peer involvement in prescription stimulant use, as well as the risks associated with long-term use.
A new study documents the increase in Ritalin-type stimulant drugs and Prozac-type antidepressants prescribed to children, raising concerns about diagnosis and treatment. Thirty percent of children on SSRIs also took stimulants, highlighting the need for further research on safety and effectiveness.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that treated ADHD boys are one-third as likely to develop substance abuse or dependence compared to untreated peers. The research contradicts the myth that stimulant treatment could lead to future drug abuse.
A new study funded by NIDA and NIMH found that boys with ADHD treated with stimulants like Ritalin are less likely to develop substance use disorders. The study showed an 84% reduction in risk among medicated ADHD boys, compared to non-medicated ADHD boys and those without ADHD.