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Related Concept Videos

Stimulants01:29

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Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
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CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
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Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
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Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

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Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
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Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

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Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
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Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents01:28

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A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
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Recent Trends in Stimulant Usage.

Daniel J Safer1

  • 1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA dsafer@jhmi.edu.

Journal of Attention Disorders
|October 22, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stimulant medication trends show amphetamines now exceed methylphenidate use. Adult prescriptions for stimulants have surpassed youth, with more women than men receiving them.

Keywords:
adultsamphetaminechildrenmedication trendsmethylphenidatestimulant

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Significant shifts in stimulant medication prevalence and treatment patterns have occurred over the past decade.
  • Analysis of these trends is crucial for understanding current therapeutic landscapes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in stimulant medication usage, specifically amphetamine and methylphenidate.
  • To identify changes in prescription patterns across different demographics and prescriber types.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized diverse datasets including pharmacy claims, production quotas, sales data, and surveys.
  • Examined stimulant medication trends by drug subclass, year, age, gender, country, prescriber, diagnosis, and expenditures.

Main Results:

  • Amphetamine-based medications have become more prevalent than methylphenidate-based medications.
  • Total stimulant prescription sales to adults now exceed those for youth.
  • Adult women are prescribed stimulants more frequently than adult men.

Conclusions:

  • Stimulant medication treatment, especially for amphetamines, is expanding rapidly in the U.S.
  • Off-label stimulant use constitutes at least 40% of total use, predominantly in adults.