|
|
Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media |
|
|
|
|
|
Examples include stimulants such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine combination)—the drugs used for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—to improve performance on academic tests and to learn new skills, and cholinesterase inhibitors like Aricept (donepezil), the Alzheimer’s medication, to treat normal age-related memory changes. They also include Provigil (modafinil), the drug used off-label to keep pilots alert and approved to treat narcolepsy and sleep apnea. Some say that they’re better than a double-espresso, but do they work? According to new guidance by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN): "Medications currently used for neuroenhancement do not appear to act uniformly to improve executive function or memory across age groups (e.g. elderly/young), populations (high/low IQ), or tasks (novel/repetitive), and in some cases may make cognitive function worse. Thus, the idea of simply "making people smarter" by prescribing these medications ignores the complex nature of cognitive function. In addition, the risks of the long-term use of off-label medications for neuroenhancement in normal patients without a medical or mental health condition are not known and may not be known for many years." The AAN statement goes on to advise neurologists like me to exercise our clinical and ethical judgment to decide whether to prescribe medications for neuroenhancement. But proponents argue that if we don’t get on the bandwagon, we’ll be at a competitive disadvantage, not only as individuals but as a nation in this global economy. Without data on the long-term side effects, are you tempted to take the risk? Photo courtesy of hipsxxhearts Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com We videotape Press Conferences, produce SMT's, VNR's, B-rolls, PSA's, - all with distribution: HealthyTelevisionProductions Top of Page 
|
Contact
Us | Job Listings
| Help | Site
Map | About Us
Advertising
Information | HND
Press Release | Submit
Information | Disclaimer
Site hosted by Sanchez Productions
