A possible effect of methylphenidate on state anxiety: A single dose, placebo controlled, crossover study in a control group

Aviv Segev, Hila Zahava Gvirts, Kevin Strouse, Naama Mayseless, Hagar Gelbard, Yael Doreen Lewis, Yael Barnea, Kfir Feffer, Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory, Yuval Bloch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Methylphenidate affects state-anxiety in ADHD patients. The current study examines the effect of Methylphenidate on state-anxiety in healthy subjects. In a cross-over, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 36 healthy subjects received either Methylphenidate or placebo. As a group, no change in state-anxiety was detected with Methylphenidate. However, participants reporting higher anxiety levels experienced a significant and specific state-anxiety reduction following Methylphenidate. Moreover, a strong negative correlation was found between the initial-level of anxiety and net-change in state-anxiety. These changes were unrelated to self-perceived attention levels. Our results point to the state-dependent effects of Methylphenidate on anxiety.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)232-235
Number of pages4
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume241
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Jul 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Israeli Scientific Foundation (ISF), grant number 1194/13; the ISF had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Funding Information:
The authors wish to express their gratitude to Prof. Rachel Tomer for her guidance and assistance. In addition, the authors thank the Israeli Scientific Foundation (ISF) grant number 1194/13 for its support.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • Attention
  • Cognitive enhancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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