Neurotransmitters
Methylphenidate drugs are used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Understanding their mechanism requires an understanding of the brain changes that cause ADHD. As an article in the McGill Journal of Medicine explains, ADHD is thought to be related to abnormal levels of special chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerve cells use to communicate with each other. When a nerve cell is stimulated, it secretes these chemicals into special spaces called synapses, which are areas where many different nerve cells can connect and communicate. When neurotransmitters are secreted into a synapse, they bind to proteins called receptors, where they then affect the activity of other neurons. Neurotransmitters can either stimulate or inhibit brain activity, depending on the neurotransmitter and receptors involved.
ADHD and Neurotransmitters
ADHD is thought to be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. In order for the brain to properly function, different neurotransmitters must be present at the right levels. Patients with ADHD, as the Royal College of Psychiatrists notes, are thought to have abnormally low levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. In addition, patients with ADHD may have unusually high levels of a different neurotransmitter, called norepinephrine. This imbalance can make it harder for ADHD patients to concentrate and focus on tasks. Methylphenidate works by attempting to correct this imbalance.
Methylphenidate Mechanism
Methylphenidate drugs are thought to help artificially correct the neurotransmitter imbalance, primarily by increasing the amount of dopamine signaling that occurs. Methylphenidate is able to do this in two separate ways. First, methylphenidate can slow the rate at which dopamine is taken out of the synapse, which allows it to generate its effects for a longer period of time. It can also potentiate the release of dopamine, which means that more dopamine is put into synapses by stimulated neurons.
