Anti-hyperactivity medication: methylphenidate and amphetamine
How do 'stimulants' reduce hyperactivity in children and adults? How can drugs which raise
extracellular dopamine result in psychomotor slowing of hyperactive children when
dopamine is known to enhance motor activity, such as in Parkinson's disease? These
apparent paradoxes are the focus of this brief review on the mechanism of action of
stimulant medications used in the treatment of children, and of an increasing number of
adults who meet diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
extracellular dopamine result in psychomotor slowing of hyperactive children when
dopamine is known to enhance motor activity, such as in Parkinson's disease? These
apparent paradoxes are the focus of this brief review on the mechanism of action of
stimulant medications used in the treatment of children, and of an increasing number of
adults who meet diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Abstract
How do ‘stimulants’ reduce hyperactivity in children and adults? How can drugs which raise extracellular dopamine result in psychomotor slowing of hyperactive children when dopamine is known to enhance motor activity, such as in Parkinson's disease? These apparent paradoxes are the focus of this brief review on the mechanism of action of stimulant medications used in the treatment of children, and of an increasing number of adults who meet diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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