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Cognition

ModafinilEvidence & Dosage

Wakefulness, off-label use, tolerance, and addiction potential.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
794
With abstract
50
Meta / Systematic / RCT
145
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1985–2026

Modafinil in the context of Cognition

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Top studies on Modafinil

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

    Lancet Psychiatry2018n=133Meta-Analysis200 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>The benefits and safety of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain controversial, and guidelines are inconsistent on which medications are preferred across different age groups. We aimed to…

  2. Augmentation strategies for treatment resistant major depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

    J Affect Disord2022n=12,415Meta-Analysis177 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>To compare the efficacy and discontinuation of augmentation agents in adult patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analyses (NMA) to combine direct and…

  3. Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.

    J Clin Sleep Med2021Systematic Review121 influential citations

    <h4>Introduction</h4>This guideline establishes clinical practice recommendations for the treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence in adults and children.<h4>Methods</h4>The American Academy of Sleep Medicine commissioned a task…

  4. Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: A systematic review.

    Pharmacol Res2010Systematic Review97 influential citations

    The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive, emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through, inter alia, the use of drugs. Of known interventions, psychopharmacology provides readily available…

  5. A systematic review of modafinil: Potential clinical uses and mechanisms of action.

    J Clin Psychiatry2006n=33Systematic Review83 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Modafinil is a novel wake-promoting agent that has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder and as adjunctive treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.…

  6. Prescription psychostimulants for the treatment of stimulant use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Psychopharmacology (Berl)2020n=288Meta-Analysis81 influential citations

    <h4>Rationale</h4>Agonist-based pharmacologic intervention is an accepted approach in treatment of opioid and tobacco use disorders.<h4>Objectives</h4>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate usefulness of an agonist…

    Finding: Prescription psychostimulants increased rates of sustained abstinence in patients with psychostimulant use disorder.

  7. Pharmacological Management of Lewy Body Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Am J Psychiatry2015n=44Meta-Analysis75 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>The authors examined research on effects, costs, and patient and caregiver views of pharmacological management strategies for Lewy body dementia.<h4>Method</h4>Studies were identified through bibliographic databases,…

  8. Randomised controlled cognition trials in remitted patients with mood disorders published between 2015 and 2021: A systematic review by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Task Force.

    Bipolar Disord2022n=859Systematic Review75 influential citations

    Background Cognitive impairments are an emerging treatment target in mood disorders, but currently there are no evidence‐based pro‐cognitive treatments indicated for patients in remission. With this systematic review of randomised…

  9. Practitioner Review: Pharmacological treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children and youth with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Child Psychol Psychiatry2021n=25Meta-Analysis56 influential citations

    Background Clinically significant attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are common and impairing in children and youth with autism spectrum disorder(ASD). The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to (a)…

  10. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review.

    Eur Neuropsychopharmacol2015Systematic Review55 influential citations

    Modafinil is an FDA-approved eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels, indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin, glutamate, orexin, and histamine levels, and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-amino-butrytic acid…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Oral medications for ADHD: amphetamines (including lisdexamfetamine), atomoxetine, bupropion, clonidine, guanfacine, methylphenidate, modafinil (Not reported) • Augmentation strategies including atypical antipsychotics, thyroid hormones, mood stabilizers, dopaminergic compounds, antidepressants, and buspirone (Varied by agent; e.g. aripiprazole mean 10.68 ± 3.1 mg/day, quetiapine mean 156.74 ± 97.6 mg/day, lithium 300–1200 mg, lamotrigine 100–400 mg daily) • Guideline recommendations for wake-promoting agents and other therapies (e.g., modafinil, pitolisant, sodium oxybate, solriamfetol, armodafinil, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, clarithromycin, lithium) (not reported)
Are there safety considerations for Modafinil?
• Amphetamines had higher dropout due to side-effects than placebo in children/adolescents and adults. • Guanfacine had higher dropout due to side-effects than placebo in children/adolescents. • Atomoxetine, methylphenidate, and modafinil had higher dropout due to side-effects than placebo in adults. • Ziprasidone had markedly higher discontinuation vs placebo.

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