NIDA Study Shows That Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Causes Neuronal Changes in Brain Reward Areas.
Similarities and Differences Compared to Cocaine were Found.
Investigators funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse have shown that the medication methylphenidate (Ritalin), which is commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can cause physical changes in neurons in reward regions of mouse brains—in some cases, these effects overlapped with those of cocaine. Both methylphenidate and cocaine are in the class of drugs known as psychostimulants. While methylphenidate is widely prescribed, this study highlights the need for more research into its long-term effects on the brain. These research findings will be published Feb. 3 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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METHYLPHENIDATE AND COCAINE SYIMULATE AND COULD DAMAGE THE SAME AREAS OF THE BRAIN. |
"Studies to date suggest that prescribed use of methylphenidate in patients with ADHD does not increase their risk for subsequent addiction. However non-medical use of methylphenidate and other stimulant medications, can lead to addiction as well as a variety of other health consequences," said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow. "This study highlights the fact that we know very little about how methylphenidate affects the structure of and communication between brain cells."
IF NON PRESCRIBED METHYLPHENIDATE CAN INCREASE ADDICTION THEN HOW CAN THE PRESCRIBED DRUG NOT?
SHOULD WE BE TAKING RISKS WITH A CHILD'S DEVELOPING BRAIN AND RISKS OF TOXIC EFFECTS.
The researchers exposed mice to two weeks of daily injections of cocaine or methylphenidate, after which reward areas of the brain were examined for changes in dendritic spine formation—related to the formation of synapses and the communication between nerve cells; and the expression of a protein (delta Fos B) which has been implicated in the long term actions of addictive drugs. Both drugs increased dendritic spine formation, and the expression of delta Fos B; however the precise pattern of their effects was distinct. It differed in the types of spines affected, the cells that were affected, and the brain regions. In some cases there was overlap between the two drugs, and in some cases, methylphenidate produced greater effects than cocaine—for example, on protein expression in certain regions.
"Methylphenidate, which is thought to be a fairly innocuous compound, can have structural and biochemical effects in some regions of the brain that can be even greater than those of cocaine," stated Dr.Yong Kim, lead author of the study.
“Further studies are needed to determine the behavioral implications of these changes and to understand the mechanisms by which these drugs affect synapse formation” he added.
IF THE IMPACT IS ON THE REWARD CENTRE OF THE BRAIN HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE CHILD'S MOOD, MOTIVATION, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR?
WE DON'T KNOW - BUT WE SHOULD DO BEFORE WE AS A SOCIETY CHOSE TO MEDICATE A CHILD!
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.
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| METHYLPHENIDATE |
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| MEPHAMPHETAMINE |
METHAMPHETAMINE HAS SIMILAR PROFILE OF EFFECTS TO METHYLPHENIDATE.
Brief
Description:
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| METHAMPHETAMINE TABLETS. |
Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine. It is long lasting and toxic to dopamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder taken orally or by snorting or injecting, or a rock "crystal" that is heated and smoked.#
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| Meth Ice. |
Street Names:
Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass
More at Street Terms (Office of National Drug Control Policy Web Site)
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| Methamphetamine. |
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| Methylphenidate - As you can see a similar chemical structure with one addition of an oxygen molecule. Similar structure + similar effect. |
Effects:
Methamphetamine increases wakefulness and physical activity, produces rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature. Long-term use can lead to mood disturbances, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and severe dental problems. All users, but particularly those who inject the drug, risk infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Statistics
and Trends:
In 2009, 1.2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.
Source:
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.2% of 8th graders, 1.6% of 10th graders, and 1.0% of 12th graders had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.
Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site)
How many of these children having experienced methylphenidate as a prescribed drug when younger are drawn to abusing either it or related substances like methamphetamine due to a 'mind set' that they develop in childhood.
(1.2 to 1.8% of U.S. high school students abuse methamphetamine which is more than the number of U.K. children on meyhylphenidate.)
'Common Sense' would imply that some would.
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