Psychostimulant drugs behavioral effects

Psychostimulants are drugs that substantially influence cognitive and affective functioning and behaviors. Effects are increased motivational desire, agitation, heightened vigilance, euphoria, hyperactivity, and... 

Loeomotor aetivity has historically been used as an index of psychostimulant effects. Simple assessment of amount of loeomotor activity can provide the basis for anatomical as well as pharmaeologieal analysis of the neural substrates that mediate the behavioral expression of stimulant action. More sophisticated behavioral measurement systems ean reeord multiple measures of activity and describe spatial and temporal patterning of loeomo-tion. In such systems, qualitative aspects of behavioral activation can be evaluated by examining the entire activity profile. A comparison of the effects of novel drugs with those produced by well-characterized substanees may lead to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action and subjective properties. 

Whereas some drug studies have been done in children with normal IQ who have conduct disorder, there are very few studies involving children with MR and disruptive behavior problems. We are not aware of any studies of psychostimulants primarily to manage conduct problems in children with MR. However, most studies of children with both MR and ADHD have observed improvements on subscales assessing conduct problems, especially as rated by teachers (Aman et al., 1991, Aman et al., 1993). Given the low toxicity and well-tolerated side effects of the stimulants, they should at least be considered for treating conduct disorder in children and adolescents with MR, especially if they have ADHD. 

Paradoxical effects cognitive impairment and perseverative behavior are occasionally seen in children treated with psychostimulants. According to Greenhill et al. (1999) such phenomena are indicative of a drug overdose and will improve at dose reduction. Constriction of attention or overfocusing as a consequence of treatment with psychostimulants has been another critical issue (Breggin, 1999). Based on an extensive review of the literature and their own experience, Wilens and Biederman (1992) assert that there is no evidence of such phenomena at doses up to 1.0 mg/kg of methylphenidate. 

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