Methylphenidate decreases regional cerebral blood flow in normal human subjects

Gene Jack Wang, Nora D. Volkow, Joanna S. Fowler, Richard Ferrieri, David J. Schlyer, David Alexoff, Naomi Pappas, Jeffrey Lieberman, Payton King, Donald Warner, Christopher Wong, Robert J. Hitzemann, Alfred P. Wolf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

To assess the effects of methylphenidate (MP) on cerebral blood flow (CBF), 5 healthy males were studied using 15O-water and positron emission tomography before and after MP (0.5mg/kg iv). MP significantly decreased whole brain CBF at 5-10 minutes (25±11%) and at 30 minutes (20±10%) after its administration. Decrements in CBF were homogeneous throughout the brain (regional decrements 23-30%) and probably reflect the vasoactive properties of MP. The vasoactive properties of MP should be considered when prescribing this drug chronically and/or when giving it to subjects with cerebrovascular compromise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)PL143-PL146
JournalLife Sciences
Volume54
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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