Methylphenidate Has Positive Hypocholesterolemic and Hypotriglyceridemic Effects: New Data

Abstract

Many psychotropic drugs may affect plasma lipids profile and their metabolism, with carbamazepine being the best known among them. Methylphenidate is a piperidine derivative structurally related to amphetamines and acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Its effect on lipid metabolism has not been investigated. The authors evaluated how methylphenidate affects the lipid profile in the plasma of patients diagnosed as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). All consecutive patients undergoing treatment for ADHD at the Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic (2003-2007) were enrolled. Blood samples for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were collected before starting treatment and after 3 months of continuous treatment. Forty-two patients (22 men), median age 16, participated. The median total cholesterol count decreased by 9 mg/dL (P<.0002), LDL-C decreased by 5.0 mg/dL (P<.016), and triglycerides decreased by 8.0 mg/dL (P<.016). Changes in the levels of HDL-C, apolipoprotein A, and apolipoprotein B were nonsignificant, and Lp(a) levels decreased by 2.0 mg/dL (P<.0007). Methylphenidate improves the lipid profile by decreasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and Lp(a).

Modified magnesium and lipoproteins in children with attention deficite hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

“…Mg, HDL and Apob are the sharpest discriminators between ADHD and Ctr groups. reported by Charach et al (2009): they found decreasing Chol, LDL and TG, but no signifi cant changes in the HDL levels. Hightened physical activity is described to be related to higher HDL concentrations (Korsten-Reck et al 2008;Hamer and Stamatakis 2009).…”

Psychostimulants, Brain Membrane Lipids and Dopamine Transmission

“…However, the effect of psychostimulants on brain cholesterol content has yet to be directly measured. There is only one report on methylphenidate-mediated change in brain cholesterol level [25]. In this study, a single injection of methylphenidate to male Swiss mice reduced [2-3H] acetate (a sterol precursor) incorporation into brain cholesterol during the 24-hr period examined, suggesting that the pharmacological action of methylphenidate may involve lowering cholesterol content in the brain.…”

Cognitive Consequences of Aging With HIV

“…Other studies also show that methylphenidate is effective in reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol as well as ameliorating the effects of fatigue. 92,93 These added effects are particularly advantageous given that of those with HIV, 38% experience hypercholesterolemia and nearly 50% experience a range of depressive symptomatology. 47,94 …”