Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Cognitive Effects of Stimulant Drugs on Hyperactive Children

  • Chapter
Attention and Cognitive Development

Abstract

Hyperactivity is now the most common psychiatric disorder of childhood. It is so commonly encountered and the problems it creates for the individual, the family, and the school are so serious that it demands treatment. Fortunately, there are several treatments that are effective in reducing hyperactive behavior. The most commonly used (yet still controversial) treatment is with stimulant drugs (amphetamine, methylphenidate, and pemoline). Recently, behavior modification techniques (e. g., the home-based reward system of O’Leary & Pelham, 1978, and cognitive training by Douglas, in press-a) and dietary intervention (e. g., removal of artificial food additives, as suggested by Feingold, 1974) have been used as alternatives to drug treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barkley, R. A. Predicting the response of hyperkinetic children to stimulant drugs: A review. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1976, 4, 327–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, A. A neuropsychological study of a symptom of minimal brain dysfunction: Distractbility under levels of high and low stimulation. Doctoral dissertation, University of Toronto, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bax, M., & MacKeith (Eds.). Minimal cerebral dysfunction. In Little club clinics in developmental medicine (Vol. 10 ). London: William Heineman, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, C. The behavior of children receiving benzedrine. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1937, 94, 577.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, C. Benzedrine and dexedrine in the treatment of children’s behavior disorders. Pediatrics, 1950, 5, 24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, J. T., House, R. F., Fensch, F. C., & Miller, J. G. Effects of magnesium pemoline and dextroamphetamine on human learning. Science, 1967, 152, 849–851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buss, A. H., & Plomin, R. A temperament theory of personality development. New York: Wiley, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantwell, D. P. The hyperactive child: Diagnosis, management, current research. New York: Spectrum, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, S. D. Minimal brain dysfunction in children—terminology and identification. Washington, D.C.: Public Health Service Publication No. 1415, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K. A teacher rating scale for use in drug studies with children. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 126, 884.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K. Rating scales for use in drug studies with children. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, Special Issue, 1973, 24–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K., & Rothschild, G. Drugs and learning in children. In J. Helmuth (Ed.), Learning disorders (Vol. 3 ). Seattle: Special child, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K., Eisenberg, L., & Sharpe, L. Effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on paired- associate learning and Porteus maze performance in emotionally disturbed children. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1968, 28, 14–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K., Rothschild, G., Eisenberg, L., & Schwartz, L. S. Dextroamphetamine sulphate in children with learning disorders: Effects on perception, learning and achievement. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1969, 21, 182–190.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalby, T., Kinsbourne, M., Swanson, J. M., & Sobol, M. Hyperactive children’s under-use of learning time: Correction by stimulant treatment. Child Development, 1977, 48, 1448–1453.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davids, A. An objective instrument for assessing hyperkinesis in children. Journal of Learning Disorders, 1971, 4, 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denhoff, E., Davids, A., & Hawkins, R. Effects of dextroamphetamine on hyperkinetic children: A controlled double-blind study. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1971, 4, 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rded.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, V. I. Higher order processing in hyperactive children: Relevance for training. In R. Knights & D. Bakker (Eds.), Rehabilitation, treatment and management of learning problems (An international NATO-sponsored conference), Baltimore: University Park Press, in press, (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, V. I. Hyperactivity: Where do we stand? In R. Trites (Ed.), Hyperactivity in children. Baltimore: University Park Press, in press, (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebaugh, F. G. Neuropsychiatry sequelae of acute epidemic encephalitis in children. American Journal of Diseases of Childhood, 1923, 25, 89–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, L. The clinical use of stimulant drugs in children. Pediatrics, 1972, 49, 709.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feingold, B. Why your child is hyperactive. New York: Random House, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish, B. The one-child, one-drug myth. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1971, 25, 193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, R. An avoidance learning deficit in hyperactive children. Doctoral dissertation, University of Waterloo, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gittelman-Klein, R., & Klein, D. F. Are behavioral and psychometric changes related in methylphenidate treated, hyperactive children? International Journal of Mental Health, 1975, 4, 182–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, E. & Cohen, L. H. Organic drivenness: A brain stem syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 1934, 210, 748–756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kapelus, G. J., Swanson, J. M., & Kinsbourne, M. Effects of stimulant drugs on the performance of hyperactive children in a computer controlled tracking task. Unpublished manuscript, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kausler, D. H. Psychology of verbal learning and memory. New York: Academic, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsbourne, M. Minimal brain dysfunction as a neurodevelopmental lag. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1973, 205, 268–273.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsbourne, M. The hyperactive and impulsive child. Ontario Medical Review, 1975, December, 657–660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsbourne, M. The mechanism of hyperactivity. In M. Blau, I. Rapin, & M. Kinsbourne (Eds.), Topics in child neurology. New York: Spectrum, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsbourne, M., Swanson, J. M., & Herman, D. Laboratory measurement of hyperactive children’s response to stimulant medication. In E. Denhoff & L. Stein (Eds.), Minimal brain dysfunction: A developmental approach. New York: Masson, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knights, R., & Bakker, D. Rehabilitation, treatment and management of learning problems (An international NATO-sponsored conference). Baltimore: University Park Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolata, G. B. Childhood hyperactivity: A new look at treatment and causes. Science, 1978, 199, 515–517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laufer, M., & Denhoff, E. Hyperactive behavior symptoms in children. Journal of Pediatrics, 1957, 50, 463.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mock, K., Swanson, J. M., & Kinsbourne, M. Stimulant effect in matching familiar figures: Changes in impulsive and distractible cognitive styles. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, S., & O’Leary, D. Behavior therapy with hyperactive children. In R. Knights & D. Bakker (Eds.), Rehabilitation, treatment and management of learning problems (An international NATO-sponsored conference). Baltimore: University Park Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, S. G., & Pelham, W. E. Behavior therapy and withdrawal of stimulant medication with hyperactive children. Pediatrics, 1978, 61, 211–217.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, J. L., Buschbaum, M. S., Zahn, T. P., Weingartner, H., Ludlow, C., & Mikkelsen, E. J. Dextroamphetamine: Cognitive and behavioral effects on normal prepubertal boys. Science, 1978, 199, 560–563.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Safer, D. S., & Allen, R. P. Hyperactive children: Diagnosis and management. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satter field, J. H., Cantwell, D. P., Lesser, L. I., & Podosin, R. L. Physiological studies of the hyperactive child. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1972, 128, 1418.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schain, R. J., & Reynard, C. L. Observations and effects of a central stimulant drug (methyl- phenidate) on children with hyperactive behavior. Pediatrics, 1975, 55, 709.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G. M., Weitzner, M., Levenson, S. R., & Beecher, H. K. Effects of amphetamine and decobarbitol on coding and mathematical performance. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 1963, 141, 100–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. G. Magnesium pemoline: Lack of facilitation in human learning, memory and performance tests. Science, 1967, 152, 603–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soldin, S. J., Hill, B. M., Chan, Yang-Pui M., Swanson, J. M., & Hill, J. E. A liquid-chromatographic analysis for ritalinic acid [a-Phenyl-a-(2-piperidyl) acetic acid] in serum. Clinical Chemistry, 1979, 25, 51–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solomons, G. Guidelines on the use and medical effects of psychostimulant drugs in therapy. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1971, 4, 6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, R. L., & Sleator, E. K. Effects of psychopharmacologic agents on learning disorders. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 1973, 20, 719.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, R. L., & Sleator, E. K. Methylphenidate in hyperkinetic children: Differences in dose effects on learning and social behavior. Science, 1977, 198, 1274–1276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, H. W. Children’s learning. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. A., & Kephart, N. C. Psychopathology and education of the brain injured child (Vol. 2 ). New York: Grune & Stratton, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. A., & Lehtinen, L. E. Psychopathology and education of the brain injured child (Vol. 1 ). New York: Grune & Stratton, 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strother, R. C. Minimal cerebral dysfunction: A historical overview. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1973, 205, 6–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., & Kinsbourne, M. Stimulant-related state-dependent learning in hyperactive children. Science, 1976, 192, 1754.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., & Kinsbourne, M. Should you use stimulants to treat the hyperactive child? Modern Medicine, 1978, 46, 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., & Kinsbourne, M. Artificial colors and hyperactive behavior. In R. Knights & D. Bakker (Eds.), Rehabilitation, treatment and management of learning problems (An international NATO-sponsored conference). Baltimore: University Park Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., Eich, J., & Kinsbourne, M. Stimulant-related state-dependent retrieval in free recall. Paper presented at the Psychonomic Society Meeting, San Antonio, November 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., Kinsbourne, M., Roberts, W. & Zucker, K. A time response analysis of the effect of stimulant medication on the learning ability of children referred for hyperactivity. Pediatrics, 1978, 61, 21–29.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J. M., Ledlow, A., & Kinsbourne, M. The effect of methylphenidate on eye movement latencies and manual response times of hyperactive children. In preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes, D. H., Douglas, V. I., Weiss, G., & Mende, K. K. Attention in hyperactive children and the effect of methylphenidate (Ritalin). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1971, 12, 155–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, B., & Chess, A. Temperament and behavior disorders in children. New York: New York University Press, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurston, C. Effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on selective attention in hyperactive children. Master’s thesis, University of Guelph, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trites, R. Hyperactivity in children. Baltimore: University Park Press, in press, (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trites, R. Epidemiological study: Hyperactivity in urban Canada. In R. Trites (Ed.), Hyperactivity in children. Baltimore: University Park Press, in press, (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vellutino, F. R., Steger, B. M., Moyer, S. C., Harding, C. J., & Niles, J. A. Has the perceptual deficit hypothesis led us astray? Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1977, 10, 54–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, B., & La ties, V. G. Enhancement of human performance by caffeine and the amphetamines. Pharmacological Reviews, 1962, 14, 1–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wender, E. Food additives and hyperkinesis. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 1977, 131, 1204–1206.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wender, P. Minimal brain dysfunction in children. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wender, P. Some speculations concerning a possible biochemical basis of minimal brain dysfunction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1973, 205, 18–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werry, J. G., & Quay, H. C. The prevalence of behavior symptoms in younger elementary school children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1971, 41, 136–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychology Research Unit, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

    James M. Swanson & Marcel Kinsbourne

Authors
  1. James M. Swanson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marcel Kinsbourne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Development Research Division, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

    Gordon A. Hale

  2. Institute for the Study of Exceptional Children, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

    Michael Lewis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1979 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Swanson, J.M., Kinsbourne, M. (1979). The Cognitive Effects of Stimulant Drugs on Hyperactive Children. In: Hale, G.A., Lewis, M. (eds) Attention and Cognitive Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2985-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2985-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-2987-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2985-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation