Sections
Modafinil | Anxiolytics, Antipsychotics, and Anticonvulsants | Nicotinic Drugs | Additional Agents
Excerpt
Modafinil (see Table 4–2) is an antinarcoleptic agent
that is structurally and pharmacologically different from other agents
approved to treat ADHD. Although its mechanism of action is unknown,
modafinil may improve symptoms of ADHD via the same mechanism by
which it improves wakefulness. Preclinically, modafinil selectively
activates the cortex without causing widespread CNS stimulation
(Engber et al. 1998). Modafinil does not appear to
activate areas of the brain that mediate reward and abuse and thus
has a low potential for abuse (Myrick et al. 2004).