Study: Long-Term ADHD Stimulant & Non-Stimulant Use Improves Executive Function

June 28, 2024Non-stimulant medication is nearly as effective as stimulant medication at improving executive function in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in May by Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.1Long-term use of stimulant and non-stimulant medications had a similar positive effect on cognition, compared to placebo, for people with ADHD.

Although the treatment effect sizes varied slightly in magnitude, a meta-regression analysis found no significant differences in the overall impact on cognition between each type of ADHD drug.Methylphenidate (stimulant) and atomoxetine (non-stimulant) were the only two medications with multiple studies meeting inclusion criteria for this analysis.

Improvements were measured based on four main cognitive domains related to ADHD: attention, inhibition, processing speed, and working memory.Both methylphenidate and atomoxetine were most effective at improving attention and least effective at improving reaction time.

Children and adolescents experienced more improvement than adults in reaction time and attention, whereas the effect size for inhibition was greater in adults, although these findings were not statistically significant.Methylphenidate is the most common stimulant medication prescribed for the treatment of ADHD, followed by amphetamine, according to data cited by the study authors.2 Stimulants work for 70% to 80% of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, and are typically recommended as a first-line treatment.3 Common brand names include:Non-stimulants generally have lower success rates than stimulants, but they are often a better choice for patients who respond poorly to amphetamine or.