Psychostimulants increase dopamine levels, enhancing task-relevant cortical signals by acting on the striatum and the difference in dopamine synthesis capacity in the striatum explains the variability in the drugs' cognitive effects.
Study sheds new light on the neurobiological mechanisms that occur, allowing the ADHD drug Ritalin to improve attention and report the drug could have benefits for a range of cognitive changes associated with aging.
Methylphenidate may boost norepinephrine levels in the prefrontal cortex, which in turn regulates dopaminergic neurons firing in the striatum, when a reward is delivered. The study sheds new light on how medications for ADHD affect the reward system in the brain.
Methylphenidate, a drug given to help treat ADHD, affects specific tract in white matter in young boys. The effects are age dependant as the changes were not observed in adults who use the treatment. Researchers say the drug should only be given to children if they are significantly affected by ADHD in their daily lives.
Even at doses that help improve monkeys' attention, researchers observe no differences of neural activity in the prefrontal cortex after administering Ritalin.
A new neuroimaging study reveals methylphenidate, better known as Ritalin, increases the level of dopamine available in the caudate. Along with increased dopamine levels, researchers also notice greater functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and precuneus, three areas of the brain associated with memory and attention.
Researchers report changes in brain chemistry in people who take the medication Ritalin without it being prescribed to them. Changes impacted body weight, risk taking behaviors and locomotive activity. Additionally, women were more sensitive to the behavioral effects that men.
A new study reports a simple cup of coffee could be key to helping people stick to their fitness plans.
A new study reports psychoactive medications may have positive implications in encouraging sedentary people to exercise.
Extroverts brain's release more dopamine, giving them more reason to be excited and engaged in the world, a new study suggests.
Researchers find Ritalin, a commonly prescribed drug for ADHD, helps improve brain functional connectivity in cocaine addiction.
According to a new study, the brain's pleasure response to tasting food may be measured through the eyes by using ERG.
