Stimulant ADHD Medications Work Differently than Previously Thought

Brain Scans Reveal a Surprise About ADHD Medications

ADHD stimulants may improve performance not by sharpening focus, but by making the brain more awake and motivated. Prescription stimulant drugs, including Ritalin and Adderall, are commonly prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many children take them. In the U.S., about 3.5 million kids ages 3 to 17 use an ADHD medication, and that [...]

Stimulant ADHD medications work differently than previously thought

Prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including in children. In the U.S., about 3.5 million children aged 3 to 17 take an ADHD medication, a number that has increased as more children have been diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Stimulant medications affect arousal and reward, not attention networks.

Systematic review and meta analysis finds that Individuals with ADHD treated with stimulants have a non-negligible risk of developing psychosis or bipolar disorder, with a higher risk associated with amphetamines compared to methylphenidate.