Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Are psychostimulants a treatment option in mania?

Full Abstract

Mania and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show a high degree of symptom overlap and comorbidity. Clinical trials and case reports indicate that psychostimulants do not or only rarely trigger or aggravate manic episodes but can even produce rapid and pronounced antimanic effects. An explanatory model is presented here in which the sensation seeking, hyperactive behaviour observed in mania and ADHD is interpreted as an autoregulatory attempt to stabilize vigilance by increasing external stimulation. Accordingly, patients with both mania and ADHD show rapid declines to lower vigilance levels (e.g., sleep spindles in EEG) under resting conditions with low external stimulation. The "paradoxical" antimanic effect of psychostimulants possibly results from their vigilance stabilizing properties. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart - New York.

Author information

Author/s: Hegerl, U (U); Sander, C (C); Olbrich, S (S); Schoenknecht, P (P);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Ulrich.Hegerl(-atsign-)medizin.uni-leipzig.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Pharmacopsychiatry (Pharmacopsychiatry), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 42 (issue 5) : pp 169-74

Dates: Created 2009/09/02; Completed 2009/10/30;

PMID: 19724978, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/30/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Attention - drug effects; physiology Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; physiopathology Bipolar Disorder - drug therapy; physiopathology

Brain - drug effects; physiopathology Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; therapeutic use Humans Models, Neurological

Associated Chemicals: Central Nervous System Stimulants (0)

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