Health

Medications often prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder seem to work differently than science previously thought. A study published in December by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in the United States has found that drugs commonly prescribed for ADHD — such as Ritalin or Adderall — "act primarily on the brain's reward and wakefulness centers, rather than on its attention circuitry." The study shows what such stimulants can realistically achieve and what they can't, information important for people with ADHD because it demonstrates why some tasks suddenly feel less strenuous for people who use medication. It also explores why sleep deprivation is such an important factor. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood. People af...