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ADD IN THE NEWS

 
Which ADHD Drugs Work and Why
Reported June 1, 2006
Which ADHD Drugs Work and Why
Two new studies are helping doctors better understand attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how it can best be treated.

Researchers from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., conducted a meta-analysis involving 29 previous studies on ADHD drugs to determine which of the various medications is most effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

The stimulant drugs known as mixed amphetamine salts and methylphenidates outperformed non-stimulant drugs and novel stimulants such as modafinil. The common ADHD drug Ritalin is a methylphenidate.

The second study, conducted by investigators from Philadelphia, helps explain why stimulants work better than non-stimulants for the condition. When they measured the effects of Ritalin in rats, they found the drug helps focus attention by elevating a substance in the brain called norepinephrine. At the same time, it suppresses nerve signal transmissions in the sensory pathways, which helps the user block out extraneous stimuli.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in children before age 7, but can persist well into adulthood. In fact, statistics indicate up to 8 million adults still suffer from some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD, and the effects can be devastating. Adults with ADHD are twice as likely to have been arrested, twice as likely to be divorced, and twice as likely to have trouble holding a job.
 
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