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 172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a commonly used central nervous stimulant. It has been used in various neurological conditions, including attention deficit disorder, depression, and narcolepsy. Methylphenidate has been advocated in patients with traumatic brain injury and stroke for a variety of cognitive, attention, and behavioral problems. It also has been shown to speed recovery from poststroke depression so that patients can participate more fully in rehabilitation programs. Research suggests that it also may have a role in augmenting activity of injured neuronal tissue in the comatose patient, thus facilitating a return to consciousness. The neuroscience nurse plays an important role in monitoring response to Ritalin, including identifying its side effects. A review of the limited studies on the use of Ritalin, its mechanisms of action, dosing, and weaning provide a current understanding of this adjunctive agent's role in treatment for the neurological population.
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PMID:Ritalin revisited: does it really help in neurological injury? 1250 13

A range of studies has indicated that users of 3.4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy') display cognitive deficits, particularly memory impairment, as compared to non-drug using controls. Yet it is difficult to determine whether these deficits are caused by MDMA or some other confounding factor, such as polydrug use. The present study was designed to establish the direct relation between MDMA and memory impairment under placebo-controlled conditions. Eighteen recreational MDMA users participated in a double blind, placebo controlled, 3-way crossover design. They were treated with placebo, MDMA 75mg and methylphenidate 20mg. Memory tests were conducted between 1.5-2h (intoxication phase) and between 25.5-26h (withdrawal phase) post dosing. Results showed that a single dose of MDMA caused impairment of immediate and delayed recall on a verbal learning task during the intoxication phase. However, there was no residual memory impairment during the withdrawal phase. Subjects reported more fatigue and less vigour, but no symptoms of depression during the withdrawal phase of MDMA treatment. Methylphenidate did not affect memory or mood at any time of testing. A single dose of MDMA produces transient memory impairment.
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PMID:Transient memory impairment after acute dose of 75mg 3.4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine. 1627 86

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic behavioral disorder characterized by persistent hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention that impairs educational achievement and/or social functioning. Its diagnosis is made by ascertaining whether the child's specific behaviors meet the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-IV-revised criteria. Its etiology is still unclear but recent studies suggest that genetics plays a major role in conferring susceptibility. Comorbidity with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder; and with specific learning disability is not uncommon. Although medication works well in most cases of ADHD, optimal treatment requires integrated medical and behavioral treatment. Methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine are the two drugs being currently prescribed and their efficacy in decreasing the symptoms of ADHD is well documented. Pyschoeducational interventions in school can help increase the successful functioning of affected children and improve their academic performance. Almost half of affected children continue to show significant symptoms of the disorder into adolescence and young adulthood. The family physician can play an important role in detecting this condition early, coordinating its assessment and treatment, counseling the parents and classroom teacher, and monitoring the child's academic and psychosocial progress on a long-term basis.
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PMID:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder--a review for family physicians. 1638 76

Cancer and its treatment are often associated with symptoms such as depression, somnolence, cognitive abnormalities, and fatigue. Methylphenidate, a stimulant medication, is commonly used to treat these symptoms. Several small pilot and a few adequately powered studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate in patients with cancer Overall, the studies so far suggest that methylphenidate is well-tolerated in patients with cancer Further, the studies have provided initial evidence of efficacy of this agent in patients with cancer The present article reviews the evidence base behind the use of methylphenidate in these patients.
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PMID:Use of methylphenidate in patients with cancer. 1645 Jun 61

Interferon-Alpha (IFN) has been effective in the treatment of chronic viral infections and cancer albeit the added risk of severe depression. The literature has reported effectiveness in the use of antidepressants for interferon-induced depression. We report a case of severe protracted depression induced by IFN in a patient diagnosed with melanoma who responded rapidly to a course of methylphenidate using the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale. Methylphenidate appeared to be effective in the treatment of neurovegetative symptoms of major depression induced by IFN. This report provides further clinical evidence that the neurovegetative symptoms of depression might respond better to a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor or psycho-stimulants.
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PMID:Methylphenidate for alpha-interferon induced depression. 1653 69

Antidepressant use seems to be problematic in bipolar disorder. The dopaminergic agent, bupropion, seems to be equally effective to serotoninergic agents but with greater safety. Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication that is sometimes used as an antidepressant in bipolar adults and is frequently used in children with comorbid bipolar and attention-deficit disorder. There are no data available for the safety of long-term methylphenidate in adults. A retrospective chart review of bipolar patients who received methylphenidate while attending a bipolar clinic was conducted. Data regarding side effects and symptoms were collected. Sixteen charts were reviewed. The mean duration of methylphenidate treatment was 14 months (+/-SD, +/-17.5 months; range, 1-60 months). Five had comorbid attention-deficit disorder, the remainder received the methylphenidate for depression. The mean dose was 16.3 mg/d (+/-SD, +/-8.7 mg/d; range, 5-40 mg/d). Several mild to moderate side effects were reported. Two patients (12.5%) discontinued methylphenidate because of adverse side effects. When available (44% of the sample), general assessment of function increased from (+/-SD) 48.3 +/- 9.9 to 69.3 +/- 10.6 (P = 0.006). Methylphenidate seems to be safe in the naturalistic setting. Controlled studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in bipolar depression.
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PMID:Naturalistic long-term use of methylphenidate in bipolar disorder. 1697 96

Asperger syndrome is associated with various dysfunctional and problematic behaviors, in addition to the core features of communication and social skills dysfunction that define these conditions. Although there is currently no pharmacologic cure for the core features of Asperger syndrome. This article discusses the various medications for the behavioral symptoms of Asperger syndrome, which include hyperactivity, aggression, tantrums, self-injury, depression, obsession and so on. Methylphenidate, SSRIs, atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizer were introduced.
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PMID:[Pharmacologic treatment of Asperger syndrome]. 1735 70

Methylphenidate and other psychostimulants have received substantial attention for the management of depression in patients with medical co-morbidities as well as for the symptomatic palliation of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite having been of little use in the first-line treatment of depressive disorders, some evidence does suggest that they may be of potential benefit as an antidepressant augmentation strategy in patients who fail to respond to stand-alone antidepressant regimens. However, such claims appear to be based entirely on case reports and to date, no appropriate placebo-controlled studies have been carried out on healthy young subjects. We report a case of a woman with refractory depression who successfully responded to methylphenidate augmentation of fluvoxamine. Her clinical picture was dominated by significant biological symptoms, which included apathy, anergia, increased appetite, and somnolence, with marked secondary functional impairment. Several antidepressant treatment modalities were attempted, including electroconvulsive therapy, with little improvement in her symptomatology. Augmentation of fluvoxamine with methylphenidate ultimately brought about a rapid and sustained complete remission of her depression. We will highlight how methylphenidate and other psychostimulants, when used with caution and an appreciation of their potential risk for abuse, may prove to be remarkably effective agents for antidepressant augmentation, including that of partially-effective or ineffective selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. Evidence for such use of methylphenidate unfortunately remains largely empirical and adequate placebo-controlled studies are therefore required to support or refute this claim.
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PMID:[Methylphenidate augmentation of fluvoxamine for treatment-resistant depression: a case report and review literature]. 1756 84

(1) Narcolepsy is characterised by sudden, overwhelming daytime drowsiness, sometimes associated with cataplexy (more or less complete loss of muscle tone during an emotional reaction). (2) Modafinil moderately reduces daytime drowsiness but has no effect on cataplexy. Methylphenidate, an amphetamine psychostimulant, seems to act on both drowsiness and cataplexy, although its clinical evaluation is limited to observational series. (3) Oxybic acid, long used in general anaesthesia, but also misused for recreational and criminal purposes (chemical or drug-induced submission), has been approved to treat adults with both narcolepsy and cataplexy, in the form of an oral solution of sodium oxybate. (4) The rationale behind the use of sodium oxybate is to re-establish a near-normal pattern of the different phases of sleep. Because of its short-lasting action, sodium oxybate has to be taken once at bedtime and then again 2.5 to 4 hours later. (5) Clinical evaluation mainly consists of 4 double-blind placebo-controlled trials of sodium oxybate. Three short-term trials, involving 136 patients treated for 4 weeks and 228 and 270 patients treated for 8 weeks, showed that sodium oxybate at a dose of 4.5 g to 9 g a day reduced the number of cataplexy attacks but that a dose of at least 6 g was needed to reduce daytime drowsiness. A trial involving 56 patients who had been taking sodium oxybate for nearly 2 years, assessed the effects of stopping versus continuing treatment. The results suggest that sodium oxybate is effective in the long term. (6) During clinical trials, 61% of patients had adverse effects attributed to sodium oxybate. These included gastrointestinal disorders (nausea (18%)), neurological disorders (dizziness (15%), headache (6%)), confusion (3%), and enuresis (7%). (7) Altered consciousness and respiratory depression occurred after a single intake of a dose two or three times higher than the recommended dose. (8) Misuse, especially to obtain chemical or drug-induced submission (i.e. as a 'date rape' drug), is facilitated by the odourless and colourless nature of the oral solution. (9) In practice, for some patients who are seriously affected by persistent episodes of cataplexy or drowsiness, despite treatment of narcolepsy, sodium oxybate is preferable to methylphenidate, which has been less thoroughly evaluated. However, the risks of misuse and overdose mean that this drug should only be proposed to patients in whom the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.
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PMID:Sodium oxybate: new drug. Fewer attacks of cataplexy in some patients. 1758 23

Fatigue is a common and highly distressing symptom of cancer associated with reduced quality of life and considerable psychological and functional morbidity. The reported prevalence of cancer-related fatigue ranges from 4% to 91%, depending on the specific cancer population studied and the methods of assessment. Cancer-related fatigue has typically been underreported, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Fatigue and depression may coexist in cancer patients, and considerable overlap of symptoms occurs. This is partly the reason for the interest in examining the role of psychotropic medications in treating fatigue. Clarifying the relationship between depression and fatigue is necessary to effectively evaluate and treat cancer-related fatigue. Even with International Classification of Diseases criteria, differentiating cancer-related fatigue is difficult. Psychotropic drugs that have been studied for cancer-related fatigue include psychostimulants, wakefulness-promoting agents, and antidepressants. Methylphenidate has been studied most and seems to be effective and well tolerated despite common side effects. Some preliminary data support using modafinil in cancer-related fatigue with less concern about tolerance or dependence. Antidepressant studies have shown mixed results. Paroxetine seems to show benefit for fatigue primarily when it is a symptom of clinical depression. Bupropion, a norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor, may have psychostimulant-like effects, and therefore may be more beneficial for treating fatigue. However, studies are currently limited. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials with specific agents are needed to further assess the efficacy and tolerability of psychotropic medications in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue.
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PMID:Update on psychotropic medications for cancer-related fatigue. 1805 30


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