Abstract
This review seeks to describe the use and effects of the drug modafinil. Specifically, it presents the research of the impact of modafinil for people with diagnosis and experience of schizophrenia. Recent reviews have shown that modafinil can positively impact on cognitive function in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. There is emerging evidence for the positive impact of modafinil on negative symptoms, functioning, quality of life, wellbeing, and body mass index (BMI) for people with schizophrenia. Compared to other central nerve stimulant (CNS) drugs, modafinil has a low risk of dependency and few negative side effects; but there are risks of triggering positive symptoms in schizophrenia. A well designed and sufficiently large randomised control trial is required to test the potential of the impact of modafinil in the lives of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Future research should report participant’s perspective of the value of modafinil connected to what concerns them and what they want to achieve in their lives.
Highlights
Modafinil is a central nerve stimulant (CNS) eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels, indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin, glutamate, orexin, and histamine levels, and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-aminobutyric acid levels [1]
A well designed and sufficiently powered RCT is required to assess the impact of modafinil on the lives of people with medium and long-term experience of schizophrenia
This research would address whether modafinil improves recovery, wellbeing, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, psychopathology, progress in therapy, and body mass index; and whether any improvements are sustained beyond the period of prescription
Summary
Modafinil is a central nerve stimulant (CNS) eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels, indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin, glutamate, orexin, and histamine levels, and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-aminobutyric acid levels [1]. It is prescribed as a wakefulness enhancer; in narcoleptic patients it is an effective treatment of excessive daytime tiredness [2]. In healthy non-sleep deprived individuals modafinil can enhance attention, executive functions, and learning; and there is a low level of side effects or mood changes [1]. Modafinil can maintain wakefulness, memory and executive functions in sleep deprived healthy individuals [7]
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