Clinical psychopharmacology of AD/HD:
implications for animal models

by
Solanto MV
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
New York,
NY 10029, USA.
mary_solanto-Gardner@mssm.edu
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2000 Jan; 24(1):27-30


ABSTRACT

A working knowledge of the clinical psychopharmacology of the psychostimulants in AD/HD is essential to the development of valid animal models of the disorder. The clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of D-amphetamine (D-AMP) and methylphenidate (MPH) have been well-studied. The plasma half-life of these compounds in children is approximately 5 h, with an onset of therapeutic action within a half-hour, and peak action at 1-3 h. The effective dose range for D-AMP in children is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg, and for MPH 0.3-1.0 mg/kg. In humans, psychostimulants bring about reductions in activity level and impulsivity, and improvement in attention span. Enhancement of executive processes mediated in the pre-frontal cortex in humans (especially tolerance for delay) is believed to mediate these therapeutic effects. There are no long-term remedial effects of the drug on behavior-i.e. symptoms return when the drugs are withdrawn. When used in the therapeutic dose range, there is no evidence of the development of significant tolerance or sensitization. These and other clinical findings to be discussed must guide and constrain the development of animal models of stimulant drug effects in AD/HD.
Ice
OROS
History
Serotonin
Dopamine
The Ritalin Kid
VTA/glutamate
Self-medication
Worms on speed
Methylphenidate
AD/HD: new drugs
Adderall and ADHD
Genetics and AD/HD
AD/HD: non-psychostimulants
Amphetamine and Ritalin overprescription?
ADHD drugs (Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall, etc): risks



Refs
and further reading

amphetamines.com
HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Cannabis.net
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhappiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Good Drug Guide
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World