Ritalin Paper Database
Light
Visual Abstract
Modulation of social influence by methylphenidate
Methylphenidate and Social Influence
October 18, 2024
author
Campbell-Meiklejohn DK, Simonsen A, Jensen M, Wohlert V, Gjerløff T, Scheel-Kruger J, Møller A, Frith CD, Roepstorff A
journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
Date Published
2012 May
Why link to a visual abstract?
What is a visual abstract?
Visual Original
Study Summary
🔬
What They Studied
The researchers studied whether methylphenidate (MPH) affects the tendency to conform to social norms.
💡
What They Found
They found that those who took MPH showed twice the conformity effect compared to those who took a placebo, especially in situations with moderate social conflict.
📚
What This Means
These findings suggest that MPH may enhance social conformity signals that are otherwise too weak, aligning with the mechanisms of increased conformity seen in ADHD treatment.
Study Summary
Study Overview
This study explores how certain chemicals in the brain influence how we learn from others. It provides new insights into how medications can impact our ability to learn socially. Research shows that when people face social conflict, their opinions may change, suggesting that medicine can influence this process. One medication studied is methylphenidate, which increased conformity in people under moderate social conflict.
The findings also propose that this medication enhances the influence of rewards based on conformity. Overall, the research sheds light on how understanding people's reactions can help us quickly learn about our options and connect with social norms amidst a complex world.
The findings also propose that this medication enhances the influence of rewards based on conformity. Overall, the research sheds light on how understanding people's reactions can help us quickly learn about our options and connect with social norms amidst a complex world.
Abstract: background
The ability to infer value from the reactions of other people is a common and essential ability with a poorly understood neurobiology. Commonly, social learning matches one's values and behavior to what is perceived as normal for one's social group. ...more
Exploring Social Learning
"Remarkably little is known about how social learning occurs, despite its common occurrence across species."
The Role of Catecholamines
"This study investigates the role of catecholamines in the social learning process."
Implications for Social Behavior
"The findings also highlight a potential overlap in pharmacology of nonsocial and social learning worthy of future study in the lab and real world situations."
Study Summary
Methods
Methylphenidate, known by the brand name Ritalin, is a medication often used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by increasing levels of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. The study involved 38 healthy adult women who were randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg of methylphenidate or a placebo.
Participants rated the trustworthiness of 153 faces, saw the average ratings from peers, and then re-rated the faces after 30 minutes and a memory task. This setup allowed researchers to see if the drug influenced their tendency to conform to peer ratings.
Participants rated the trustworthiness of 153 faces, saw the average ratings from peers, and then re-rated the faces after 30 minutes and a memory task. This setup allowed researchers to see if the drug influenced their tendency to conform to peer ratings.
Abstract: methods
Methylphenidate (MPH) is an indirect dopamine and noradrenalin agonist, commonly used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for which it reduces undesirable behavior as evaluated by peers and authority figures, indicative of i...more
Study Summary
Results
The results showed that the group taking methylphenidate displayed twice the level of conformity to peer ratings compared to the group taking the placebo, but only in cases of moderate social disagreement. This means the drug seemed to enhance subtle social signals that might encourage conformity.
Interestingly, methylphenidate did not affect the participants' performance on the memory task, suggesting its effects were specific to social behaviors.
Interestingly, methylphenidate did not affect the participants' performance on the memory task, suggesting its effects were specific to social behaviors.
Abstract: results
The MPH group exhibited twice the conformity effect of the PL group following moderate social conflict, but this did not occur following large conflicts. This suggests that MPH might enhance signals that would otherwise be too weak to evoke conformit...more
Study Summary
Conclusions
The findings suggest a new way methylphenidate (Ritalin) may reduce socially disruptive behavior—by enhancing sensitivity to social feedback. This points to a possible neurocognitive mechanism involving catecholamines that might influence social learning. These insights provide fresh evidence that these brain chemicals help mediate our responses to social information.
Abstract: conclusions
We provide a new working hypothesis of a neurocognitive mechanism by which MPH reduces socially disruptive behavior. We also provide novel evidence of catecholamine mediation of social learning [corrected].
Background Information
Patient Guide
🧠
Methylphenidate's Mechanism of Action
Blocks norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake, raising their synaptic concentration.
👨⚕️
Primary Use of Methylphenidate
Approved by the FDA for treating ADHD in both children and adults.
🧠
Psychiatric Impacts of Methylphenidate
May worsen symptoms of psychosis or bipolar disorder and aggressive behavior.
📏
Formulations and Dosages
Available in multiple forms including tablets, solutions, and patches; dosage needs careful management.
Professional Guide
Expert Opinion: Methylphenidate and Social Influence
The findings suggest that methylphenidate (MPH) might enhance signals that would otherwise be too weak to evoke conformity, aligning with its role in ADHD treatment.
Diagnosing ADHD in preschool children involves clinical interviews, observations, and DSM-based rating scales from parents and teachers.
Behavioral interventions are recommended as the first line of treatment for young children with ADHD, with MPH being the preferred pharmacologic option.
Stimulant medications, including MPH, show significant efficacy in treating ADHD, with behavioral therapy enhancing these effects.
Diagnosing ADHD in preschool children involves clinical interviews, observations, and DSM-based rating scales from parents and teachers.
Behavioral interventions are recommended as the first line of treatment for young children with ADHD, with MPH being the preferred pharmacologic option.
Stimulant medications, including MPH, show significant efficacy in treating ADHD, with behavioral therapy enhancing these effects.
Evidence Summary
Analyzing Methylphenidate's Effects on Attention
This article explores how methylphenidate, a medication for ADHD, impacts brain activity related to attention.
By using brain imaging, researchers observed changes in attention-related regions of the brain in individuals with ADHD after taking the medication.
Methylphenidate is a medication commonly used to treat ADHD by improving focus and attention.
The article examines how methylphenidate affects neural activity related to attention in people with ADHD.
Researchers used brain imaging techniques to observe changes in brain regions linked to attention after taking the medication.
By using brain imaging, researchers observed changes in attention-related regions of the brain in individuals with ADHD after taking the medication.
Methylphenidate is a medication commonly used to treat ADHD by improving focus and attention.
The article examines how methylphenidate affects neural activity related to attention in people with ADHD.
Researchers used brain imaging techniques to observe changes in brain regions linked to attention after taking the medication.
Evidence Summary
Enhanced ADHD Symptom Management with Combined Treatments
Combining methylphenidate with psychosocial treatments effectively reduces ADHD symptoms.
This joint approach improves attention and behavior more than either method alone.
Using both medication and therapy delivers better outcomes for ADHD patients.
This joint approach improves attention and behavior more than either method alone.
Using both medication and therapy delivers better outcomes for ADHD patients.
Evidence Summary
ADHD and Reaction Time Variability
Children with ADHD often show slower and more variable reaction times. This suggests deficits in attention and cognitive processing, rather than behavioral inhibition. Several variables can influence these reaction times, revealing the complex nature of ADHD. The study used the stop-signal paradigm to compare these processes between children with ADHD and typically developing children.
