“Working memory is a mysterious kind of inward eye that allows us to maintain brain-based models of our surroundings…

“Drugs like guanfacine [occasionally used to treat ADHD] work by stopping production of cyclic AMP, thus allowing the cortical network to remain connected and critical working-memory functions to proceed unchecked.

“[Yale University neurobiologist] Arnsten next plans to investigate whether conditions like ADHD, schizophrenia, and age-related cognitive decline might be touched off by the opening of too many HCN channels, leading to mental lapses.”

– from Gatekeepers of the Mind, in Yale Alumni Magazine, July/August 2007

According to the National Institute of Health, guanfacine (sold under the brand name Tenex® by ESP Pharma) is primarily used for high blood pressure, with some use for migraine headaches and drug withdrawal symptoms.

A Yahoo! Health article on ADD/ADHD states:

“[Other]  medications are sometimes tried if symptoms persist after initial treatment with one of the above medications. These medications are usually not used in younger children.

• Antihypertensives, such as Catapres and Tenex, which may be used to treat aggression and impulsivity not controlled by ADHD medications.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 6th, 2007 at 8:34 pm and is filed under Reference -- Pharma, Meds, Drugs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.