Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of single-dose amphetamine formulations in ADHD
R S James1, W S Sharp, T M Bastain
1Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Objective:
To compare the efficacy and time course of single morning doses of Adderall, extended-release, and immediate-release dextroamphetamine sulfate.
Method:
Thirty-five children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, combined type, were given Adderall, immediate-release dextroamphetamine, dextroamphetamine Spansules, and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Behavior ratings, locomotor activity measurements, and academic measures were obtained over a period of 8 weeks.
Results:
All three drugs exhibited robust efficacy versus placebo on nearly all measures. The effects of dextroamphetamine Spansules were less robust in the morning, particularly compared with Adderall, but they lasted 3 to 6 hours longer, depending on the measure. Although parent behavior ratings and locomotor activity showed improvements up to 12 hours after single doses of all three drugs, the number of math problems attempted and completed correctly 4 hours after dosing were only robustly increased by Spansules.
Conclusions:
Both immediate-release amphetamines demonstrated earlier onset of effects, but dextroamphetamine Spansules showed more sustained effects that were present on a wider range of measures.
More Related Videos
05:48The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
10:02Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Published on: March 12, 2020
Related Concept Videos
02:07Blind Procedures
01:25Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral bioavailability, and...
01:28Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
01:16Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.