Study shows how Ritalin can help rats with iron-deficiency-related attention problems

By Staff Writer

Ritalin has traditionally been used in the treatment of adults and children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, researchers from Penn State have recently conducted studies in which rats with iron deficiency-induced attention problems were treated with Ritalin.

Their study suggests that this medication could be used in the treatment of humans who suffered from iron deficiency as children. Babies who are deprived of the nutrient during the last trimester of pregnancy through their first six months of life can suffer from brain damage that lasts through early adulthood. Symptoms of this deficiency are weakened motor function, attachment issues and lack of the ability to focus.

because iron deficiency affects dopamine systems, the researchers hypothesized that Ritalin - or methylphenidate, a drug that helps regulate dopamine levels - would alleviate some symptoms of this condition. The study authors concluded that low doses of Ritalin helped improve the focus of the iron deficient rats, while higher doses made them hyperactive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, iron deficiency ranks in the top 10 causes of global disease and affects more than 2 billion children.