In a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, researchers found a drug known to stimulate brain activity can lower mental symptoms in 38 men and women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The drug lisdexamfetamine (sold as Vyvanse) reduced by 30% self-reported symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo.
It also lowered by over 40% symptoms of ADHD and strongly corrected deficits in executive brain function, with fewer episodes of procrastination, improvements in keeping things in mind, and strengthened prioritization skills.
The study is from NYU Grossman School of Medicine. One author is Lenard Adler, MD.
A collection of symptoms including persistent dreaminess, fatigue, and slow-working speed, the sluggish cognitive tempo has been a subject of debate over whether it is part of or separate from ADHD.
In the study, several dozen volunteer participants received daily doses of either lisdexamfetamine or a placebo sugar pill for one month.
Researchers then carefully tracked their psychiatric health on a weekly basis through standardized tests for signs and symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD, as well as other measures of brain function.
They showed that one-quarter of the overall improvements in sluggish cognitive tempo, such as feelings of boredom, trouble staying alert, and signs of confusion was due to improvements in symptoms of ADHD.
The study provides further evidence that sluggish cognitive tempo may be distinct from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and that the stimulant lisdexamfetamine treats both conditions in adults, and when they occur together.
Until now stimulants have only been shown to improve sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms in children with ADHD. The current study is the first to show that such treatments also work in adults.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about commonly used mental drugs may harm cognitive functions and findings of this eye disease can harm your mental and physical health.
For more information about mental diseases, please see recent studies about this mental problem linked to higher cancer risk in men and results showing that people with this mental problem more than three times likely to have stroke.
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