Health & Medicine, Australia (Commonwealth Union) – The condition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s ability to function at work, school, or in relationships. ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, affecting over 10% of children in the USA. It is also a lifelong condition that can persist into adulthood. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There are several different types of medications that can be used to treat ADHD, and the best medication for a particular child will vary.
A new study has shown that workers as well as students using so-called cognitive enhancers, or ‘smart’ drugs, generally prescribed for ADHD, may actually be impeding their performance and productivity.
The findings appeared in Science Advances, where the study from the University of Melbourne and University of Cambridge, provided new insights on the belief that these drugs improve focus along with cognitive performance for those who did not have ADHD.
The double-blinded, placebo-controlled study held in Melbourne, had 40 healthy individuals take 1 of 3 popular ‘smart’ drugs (Methylphenidate, Modafinil, or Dextroamphetamine), or a placebo, and tests were conducted on their performance.
The test is known as the Knapsack Optimization Problem which is utilized as a representation of hardships in tasks that we come across every day. The test was repeated 4 times, at least a week apart, for gaging of the way they each functioned both with the drugs as well as without (placebo condition).
Scientists discovered that in general, those consuming the drugs noticed minor decreases in accuracy and efficiency, together with bigger elevations in time and effort proportional to their placebo condition.
On top of that, participants whose performance was at a greater level in a placebo condition had a likelihood of showing a stronger decline in functioning and productivity following their receival of a drug. When compared, participants who had a lesser performance in a placebo condition only very occasionally displayed a slight enhancement following their consumption of the drug.
Dr Elizabeth Bowman lead author of the study as well as a researcher at the Centre for Brain, Mind and Markets at the University of Melbourne indicated that results demonstrate the positive outcome of pharmaceutical enhancers when utilized by healthy people in daily complex tasks, still need to be established.
She further indicated that their research reveals drugs that are expected to enhance cognitive performance could actually be bringing about healthy individuals to work harder while producing a reduced quality of work in an increased amount of time.
“We found taking the drugs did not increase a participant’s ability to solve the test correctly, and it decreased the score they obtained compared to when they completed the task without drugs. We also found that participants took longer to complete the task, rather than being more efficient.”
Professor Peter Bossaerts who is Leverhulme International Professor of Neuroeconomics from the University of Cambridge, indicated that further studies are required to know what impact the drugs are having on individuals with no ADHD.
“It was expected, because of the increased dopamine the drugs induce, we would see increased motivation, and a concurrent increase in the chemical norepinephrine, would cause an increase in effort, which in turn would lead to higher performance,” Professor Bossaerts said.
He also indicated that performance was not generally elevated, so questions remain in regard to the way the drugs are affecting an individual’s mind together with decision-making.
The study is likely to be an eye-opener to reconsider ADHD drugs for greater focus.
