Research shows that various pharmaceuticals can offer modest cognition enhancing effects for healthy individuals. These finding have caused some academics to support liberal use of pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) in schools and universities. This approach partially arises from arguments implying there is little moral justification for…

For successful delivery of basic science topics for health-professional students, it is critical to reduce apprehension and illustrate relevance to clinical settings and everyday life. At the beginning of the Biochemistry course for Physician Assistants, a team-based assignment was designed to develop an understanding of the mechanism of action,…

The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) is a continuous performance test (CPT) that assesses attention, impulsivity, and processing speed. CPTs are used in the assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, but more young adults are being assessed for ADHD as well. The TOVA norms are based on a standardization sample…

The use of cocaine has become a significant part of the recreational drug scene among college students. A historical overview of cocaine is presented that begins with the history of the coca plant and includes discussion of how prominent physicians experimented with the drug on themselves and their patients. (Author/DF)

Amphetamines have a significant role in nontherapeutic drug use by college students. A brief history of amphetamine use by college students is presented. Considerable data implicate amphetamines in producing serious psychological and biological adverse effects. (Author/DF)

A study to determine student knowledge and confidence in that knowledge when answering multiple-choice examination questions in a nonprescription drug course is described. An alternate approach to methods of confidence testing was investigated. The knowledge and experience survey is appended. (Author/MLW)

Treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) has changed in the past few years with researchers advocating empiric treatment for shorter periods of time without the use of cultures. Researchers report that antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli (E coli) to commonly prescribed antibiotics in uncomplicated UTIs has been increasing.…

Literature suggests that the factual approach to drug education may cause an increase in drug usage. The pharmacological approach was used in a college drug education course, and an assessment of students' drug consumption was made. No statistically significant changes were found for the substances surveyed. (Author)