Ritalin Use May Have Long Term Impact
November 13, 2001
Ritalin, a drug once considered a "quick fix" for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may actually cause permanent cerebral changes in children who use it. Researchers at the University of Buffalo are comparing Ritalin's long-term effects on children to the effects of amphetamines and cocaine on rats.
According to researchers, Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, may not be as short acting as previously thought. Experiments with lab rats show Ritalin produces similar brain cell activity as cocaine and amphetamines, including the activation of the c-fos gene, which has been associated with addiction. Researchers believe more study of Ritalin is necessary to determine which genes the drug affects and whether it is habit forming.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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