The stimulants revisited.
Stimulants are the most often prescribed psychotropics in children and adolescents, used generally for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this article the authors summarize the literature on prevalence of usage, neurobiology, and pharmacology of the stimulants. Recent studies on the use of stimulants in special ADHD populations including preschoolers and adults, and co-occurring neurologic, psychiatric, and substance use disorders are cited. Clinical guidelines for the management of individuals receiving the stimulants are offered, and treatment strategies delineated for ADHD subjects with comorbidity and medication-induced adverse effects are discussed.
Wilens
T E
TE
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Wilens@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Spencer
T J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D017661:Receptors, Presynaptic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D017661:Receptors, Presynaptic; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine