Ritalin, which is a brand name for the drug methylphenidate, belongs to the class of drugs referred to as central nervous system stimulants. It is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD, which is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy, which is a disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and the sudden onset of sleep.
Activates the Brain Stem
The brain stem is the part of the spinal cord that extends into the brain. It consists of the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. The brain stem functions to transport messages from the brain to the rest of the body. It manages breathing, swallowing, heart rate and blood pressure. The brain stem controls consciousness and influences wakefulness and sleep. According to RxList, it is thought that Ritalin activates the brain stem arousal system to produce its stimulating effect. Ritalin acts as a stimulant when administered in high doses.
Alters Functions in the Prefrontal Cortex
Two psychology researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, David Devilbiss and Craig Berridge, studied the effect of Ritalin on the brain and reported their findings in the June 2008 online issue of Biology Psychology. They found that the drug acts to "fine-tune the functioning of the neurons in the prefrontal cortex." The prefrontal cortex is the portion of the brain involved in attention, decision-making and impulse control. Devilbiss and Berridge found that given in "clinically relevant doses" for ADHD treatment, Ritalin targets the prefrontal cortex without having an impact on the other parts of the brain that are associated with overarousal and addiction. The research showed that the drug strengthened the relevant and central signals in the prefrontal cortex and weakened the lesser signals that act as distractions.
Activates the Frontal Lobe
Ritalin is classified as an amphetamine and also acts to increase extracellular levels of dopamine in the brain. Information on the webpage for the University of Delaware explains that Ritalin activates the parts of the frontal lobe that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter and affects cognition, behavior, voluntary movement, motivation and pleasure responses. The therapeutic effect of Ritalin and other central nervous system stimulants is achieved by beginning with a low dose and aiming for a slow and steady increase in dopamine levels. By increasing dopamine levels, Ritalin increases the ability to focus on a task. If Ritalin is taken in doses other than prescribed by a physician, dopamine is increased in a rapid and excessive manner. As a result, normal communication within the brain is disrupted. A feeling of euphoria, the increased risk of addiction to the drug, increased wakefulness and increased ability to focus are consequences of taking the drug as a performance enhancer or means to get high.
