ACUTE MOOD IMPROVEMENT AFTER DEXTROAMPHETAMINE AND METHYLPHENIDATE INNARCOLEPSY

Mood changes following ingestion of dextroamphetamine (D-AMP) or methy lphenidate (MPH) were examined in 40 narcoleptic patients. The Profile of Mood Status (POMS) and eight additional adjectives describing feel ings were used to quantify changes in mood before taking stimulant med ication and approximately 90 minutes after ingestion of medication. No significant differences were found between the effects of the two sti mulants. When the data from D-AMP and MPH were combined, significantly higher ratings on the POMS factor of Vigour-Activity and the adjectiv es of 'confident', 'talkative' and 'competitive' were found. Lower rat ings after medication were noted for the POMS factors of Fatigue-Inert ia, Depression-Dejection and Confusion-Bewilderment (all P < 0.001). T hese effects are similar to those previously reported in normal subjec ts as well as in certain other patient populations. The findings indic ate a possible therapeutic role of stimulant medication not only for t he treatment of excessive sleepiness but also for improving affect, mo tor and mental vigour, and aspects of cognition.