A recent study published in NeuroImage found that a 20 mg dose of methylphenidate reduces choice impulsivity in men but not in women. The study, led by Maryana Daood, aimed to assess the effects of methylphenidate on choice impulsivity.
Choice impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly without fully considering the consequences, often leading to risky behavior. It’s a common feature of ADHD and other conditions. Methylphenidate, a commonly used medication for ADHD, can improve attention and self-control by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
The study recruited 48 young adults aged 26-27 years, with 28 men participating. Each participant completed two MRI scans: one at rest and another while performing a delay discounting task. In one session, they received methylphenidate; in the other, a placebo. The results showed that men had greater white matter integrity in certain brain tracts when taking methylphenidate, leading to reduced choice impulsivity.
However, the study found no significant effect of methylphenidate on choice impulsivity in women. In fact, the drug’s impact was more pronounced among women with higher neural fiber integrity in the forceps minor.
The study’s findings suggest that sex-specific effects of methylphenidate on choice impulsivity are linked to inverse associations between choice impulsivity under the medication and the structural integrity of distinct brain segments. The results have implications for our understanding of the effects of methylphenidate, but it’s essential to note that this study was conducted on a small group of healthy young adults and may not generalize to larger groups or individuals with high impulsivity.
The study highlights the complex relationship between choice impulsivity and neural fiber integrity in both men and women. As researchers continue to explore the effects of methylphenidate, further studies are needed to understand its impact on this specific behavior in different populations.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/methylphenidate-adhd-drug-curbs-impulsivity-in-men-only-linked-to-brain-wiring-differences