Widely Prescribed Stimulants and the Risk of Psychosis in Young People with ADHD
Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 2:00 pm EDT
The prescription use of stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall (methylphenidate and amphetamine, respectively) for the treatment of ADHD has been increasing. In 2007, the FDA mandated changes to drug labels for stimulants, based on findings about increased risk for psychosis. We studied whether the risk of psychosis in patients with ADHD differs among various stimulant types and found that patients prescribed amphetamine were at a higher risk of new psychosis requiring treatment with antipsychotic medicines than patients who had been prescribed methylphenidate.
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Psychiatrist in Charge, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Inpatient Program
2013 Young Investigator Grant
Lauren V. Moran, MD, is an attending psychiatrist with the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Inpatient Program. Her current research focus is on evaluating the role of prescription stimulants in the development of psychotic disorders. Dr. Moran also conducts research on understanding the neurobiology of high rates of nicotine dependence in patients with schizophrenia.
Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., serves as the President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the largest private funder of mental health research grants. Dr. Borenstein developed the Emmy-nominated public television program “Healthy Minds,” and serves as host and executive producer of the series. The program, broadcast nationwide, is available online, and focuses on topics in psychiatry in order to educate the public, reduce stigma and offer a message of hope. Dr. Borenstein served as Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News, the newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association from 2012 - 2023.
Dr. Borenstein is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and serves as the Chair of the Section of Psychiatry at the Academy. He also has served as the President of the New York State Psychiatric Association. Dr. Borenstein earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard and his medical degree at New York University.
