Psychotropic Drugs and Learning Problems—A Selective Review

Abstract

Past research into psychotropic drugs can be divided conveniently into laboratory studies that have generally looked at the more immediate effects on learning and follow-up studies that have investigated long-term effects as they pertain to academic attainment. Many of the commonly used drugs in childhood disorders appear to have beneficial effects in the short term and in the laboratory situation, though there are notable exceptions. Long-term assessments, however, have generally been unable to document lasting educational gains due to the psychotropic drugs. Historically the application of diagnostic labels has frequently been inaccurate, giving vent to the false impression that certain drugs are of demonstrated benefit in children with specific learning problems. The research relating to drug effects on academic attainment in children with pronounced learning problems was reviewed. The evidence attesting to educational gains was found to be negligible, and possible directions for future research were indicated.