Methylphenidate-induced information processing dysfunction in nonschizophrenic patients.
To examine the relationship of aminergic overactivity to information processing, we gave methylphenidate hydrochloride, oxazepam, or placebo to 12 nonpsychotic patients in one-week blocks in a double-blind, randomized design. Methylphenidate induced a pattern of information processing dysfunction similar to that seen in schizophrenic patients, strengthening the linkage of the schizophrenia-information processing dysfunction-aminergic overactivity relationship. Further, the time course of the observed deficits in both schizophrenic and methylphenidate-induced states is strikingly compatible with the temporal mapping pattern of monoaminergic neuronal systems. More research is needed to identify definitively the aminergic influences on attentional functioning. A psychophysical task-pharmacologic probe strategy should prove useful.
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010076:Oxazepam / Q000009:adverse effects; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D008774:Methylphenidate; D010076:Oxazepam