title: The Changing Drug Culture: Use and Misuse of Cognition-Enhancing Drugs.
abstract: There has been an increase in diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with approximately 9% of American children now diagnosed, and a concomitant increase in the use of stimulants (eg, amphetamines, methylphenidate) to manage ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs (eg, atomoxetine, guanfacine, clonidine) also are used, but most patients are treated with stimulants. All of these drugs are effective for management of ADHD, and, overall, use in childhood does not seem to increase the risk of substance abuse later in life. However, widespread use has resulted in prescription stimulants being diverted for nonmedical uses, particularly by high school and college students seeking cognitive enhancement for improved academic performance. Studies of ADHD drugs for improving cognition in patients without ADHD have mixed results, and any improvements appear to be modest and short-term. Other substances also are used for cognitive enhancement. Drugs for Alzheimer disease are being used for mild cognitive impairment, though there is no evidence that they are effective. Creatine may have mild cognition-enhancing properties, but study results often are confounded by the addition of exercise, which by itself is thought to improve cognition. There is no evidence that other supplements, such as vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, improve cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Medical Center Patient Support Services Building, 4150 V Street Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Albertson
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Medical Center Patient Support Services Building, 4150 V Street Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chenoweth
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Medical Center Patient Support Services Building, 4150 V Street Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Daniel K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Medical Center Patient Support Services Building, 4150 V Street Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sutter
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018697:Nootropic Agents