Nonmedical ADHD Stimulant Use in Fraternities

DeSantis, Alan D.; Noar, Seth M.; Webb, Elizabeth M.

doi:10.15288/jsad.2009.70.952

Cited by 70 publications

(82 citation statements)

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“…MAS is equivalent to the brand name drug Adderall, which has been characterized as the -drug of choice‖ for cognitive enhancement among college students (DeSantis, Noar & Webb, 2009). We predicted that, relative to placebo, Adderall would improve performance on a wide range of cognitive functions, including episodic and working memory, inhibitory control and creativity, as well as performance on tasks based on standardized tests.…”

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Objective and subjective cognitive enhancing effects of mixed amphetamine salts in healthy people

2013

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Psychostimulants such as mixed amphetamine salts (MAS, brand name Adderall) are widely used for cognitive enhancement by healthy young people, yet laboratory research on effectiveness has yielded variable results. The present study assessed the effects of MAS in healthy young adults with an adequately powered double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial. We examined effects in 13 measures of cognitive ability including episodic memory, working memory, inhibitory control, convergent creativity, intelligence and scholastic achievement, with the goals of determining (1) whether the drug is at least moderately enhancing (Cohen's d >= .5) to some or all cognitive abilities tested, (2) whether its effects on cognition are moderated by baseline ability or COMT genotype, and (3) whether it induces an illusory perception of cognitive enhancement. The results did not reveal enhancement of any cognitive abilities by MAS for participants in general. There was a suggestion of moderation of enhancement by baseline ability and COMT genotype in a minority of tasks, with MAS enhancing lower ability participants on word recall, embedded figures and Raven's Progressive Matrices. Despite the lack of enhancement observed for most measures and most participants, participants nevertheless believed their performance was more enhanced by the active capsule than by placebo. We conclude that MAS has no more than small effects on cognition in healthy young adults, although users may perceive the drug as enhancing their cognition. AbstractPsychostimulants such as mixed amphetamine salts (MAS, brand name Adderall) are widely used for cognitive enhancement by healthy young people, yet laboratory research on effectiveness has yielded variable results. The present study assessed the effects of MAS in healthy young adults with an adequately powered double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial. We examined effects in 13 measures of cognitive ability including episodic memory, working memory, inhibitory control, convergent creativity, intelligence and scholastic achievement, with the goals of determining (1) whether the drug is at least moderately enhancing (Cohen's d >= .5) to some or all cognitive abilities tested, (2) whether its effects on cognition are moderated by baseline ability or COMT genotype, and (3) whether it induces an illusory perception of cognitive enhancement. The results did not reveal enhancement of any cognitive abilities by MAS for participants in generalThere was a suggestion of moderation of enhancement by baseline abilityand COMT genotype in a minority of tasks, with MAS enhancing lower ability participants on word recall, embedded figures and Raven's Progressive Matrices. Despite the lack of enhancement observed for most measures and most participants, participants nevertheless believed their performance was more enhanced by the active capsule than by placebo. We conclude that MAS has no more than small effects on cognition in healthy young adults, although users may perceive the drug as enhancing their ...

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Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Objective and subjective cognitive enhancing effects of mixed amphetamine salts in healthy people

2013

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“…Identifying potential distributors becomes especially important when considering that this relatively small number of "dealers" (3.1% of the student body) is responsible for supplying over 30% of the campus in our study with illegal stimulants (DeSantis, Noar, & Webb, 2009). And this number of illegal users climbs to over 60% when isolating upper-class students (i.e., juniors and seniors) and students that are members of fraternities and sororities (DeSantis et al, 2009;DeSantis & Hane, 2010;Dussault & Wyandt, 2013).…”

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confidence: 92%

“…And this number of illegal users climbs to over 60% when isolating upper-class students (i.e., juniors and seniors) and students that are members of fraternities and sororities (DeSantis et al, 2009;DeSantis & Hane, 2010;Dussault & Wyandt, 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

Illegal College ADHD Stimulant Distributors: Characteristics and Potential Areas of Intervention

DeSantis

Anthony

Cohen

2013

Substance Use & Misuse

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This study identifies indicators of college students, with prescriptions to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stimulants, who are most likely to distribute their medication to nonprescribed peers. 2,313 undergraduate students at a large Southeastern University were surveyed from 2009 to 2011. 5.2% (n = 120) were currently taking a prescribed ADHD stimulant. Analyses revealed that distributors are more likely to (1) take their medication less frequently; (2) misuse their stimulants for "off label" purposes; (3) be a member of a fraternity; (4) overestimate the percentages of users; and (5) belong to at-risk peer groups. The work concludes by discussing the study's implications, limitations and future research.

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“…Amphetamine preparations are used clinically to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and apparently there is a brisk secondary market among college students, academics and other groups [44][45][46] hoping to benefit from the increased focus and concentration promised by these drugs.…”

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confidence: 99%

The warrior in the machine: neuroscience goes to war

Tracey

Flower

2014

Nat Rev Neurosci

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Ever since Stone Age men discovered that knapping flint produced sharp stone edges that could be used in combat as well as for cooking and hunting, technological advances of all kinds have been adapted and adopted by the military.The opportunities provided by modern neuroscience are proving no exception, but their application in a military context is accompanied by complex practical and ethical considerations.

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Nonmedical ADHD Stimulant Use in Fraternities

Cited by 70 publications

References 0 publications

Objective and subjective cognitive enhancing effects of mixed amphetamine salts in healthy people

Objective and subjective cognitive enhancing effects of mixed amphetamine salts in healthy people

Illegal College ADHD Stimulant Distributors: Characteristics and Potential Areas of Intervention

The warrior in the machine: neuroscience goes to war

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