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U.S. medical researchers have discovered use of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Ritalin by young children might affect their brains.
The Weill Cornell Medical College animal study is among the first to investigate the effects of Ritalin (methylphenidate) on the neurochemistry of the developing brain. Between 2 percent and 18 percent of U.S. children are thought to be affected by ADHD and Ritalin -- a stimulant similar to amphetamine and cocaine -- remains one of the most prescribed drugs for the behavioral disorder.
"The changes we saw in the brains of treated rats occurred in areas strongly linked to higher executive functioning, addiction and appetite, social relationships and stress, said Professor Teresa Milner, the study's lead author. "These alterations gradually disappeared over time once the rats no longer received the drug."
The scientists said their findings suggest physicians should be careful in their diagnosis of ADHD before prescribing Ritalin. That's because Ritalin might be helpful in battling the disorder but harmful if given to youngsters with healthy brain chemistry.
The research appears in the Journal of Neuroscience.
美国医学研究者发现，用于治疗儿童多动症的药物－利他林，有可能影响儿童大脑。
Weill Cornell医学院的动物试验首次研究了利他林对发育过程中脑神经组织的影响。大约有2－18％美国儿童患有多动症，并且使用利他林。
利他林是一种类似安非他明和可卡因的兴奋剂，是治疗行为失常最常用的处方药。
Teresa Milner教授说，在试验老鼠中观察到，与高级行为功能，成瘾，食欲，社会关系，应激相关的脑组织发生明显变化，一旦停止摄入利他林，这些改变可以恢复。
科学家说，他们的发现提示医生在给多动症儿童开利他林时应该慎重。因为利他林对儿童多动症有帮助，但是对儿童大脑可能造成伤害。
这项研究发表在《神经科学》杂志上。
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