Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
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Neuropsychopharmacology · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialModafinil improves cognition and attentional set shifting in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
Modafinil, a novel cognitive enhancer, selectively improves neuropsychological task performance in healthy volunteers and adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has been argued that persistent cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia are responsible for the failure of many patients to rehabilitate socially even when psychotic symptoms are in remission. The present study examined the potential of modafinil as a cognitive enhancer in schizophrenia. ⋯ No effect on stop-signal performance was seen. Importantly, significant improvement in attentional set shifting was seen, despite no effect of modafinil on this task being seen in healthy volunteers or ADHD patients. Modafinil may have potential as an important therapy for cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia, particularly because of its beneficial effects on attentional set shifting.