Re: Guanfacine, But Not Clonidine, Improves ,Planning and Working

HaltingState wrote:
> The present study compares, using a double-blind, placebo controlled 
> design the effects of two α2-agonists, clonidine (0.5, 2, and 5 μg/kg)

> and guanfacine (7 and 29 μg/kg) on spatial working memory, planning and

> attentional set-****fting, functions thought to be dependent on the 
> central executive of the prefrontal cortex. Blood pressure and the 
> subjective feeling of sedation were affected equally by clonidine and 
> guanfacine. The 0.5 μg/kg and 5 μg/kg doses of clonidine disrupted 
> spatial working memory, but the medium dose had no effect. The 0.5 and 2

> μg/kg doses of clonidine increased impulsive responding in the planning

> test. The 5 μg/kg dose of clonidine slowed responding at effortful 
> levels of planning and attentional set-****fting tests. The 29 μg/kg
dose 
> of guanfacine improved spatial working memory and planning. Guanfacine 
> had no effect on attentional set-****fting. These data indicate that 
> guanfacine improved planning and spatial working memory, but clonidine 
> dose-dependently disrupted performance. It is possible that the greater 
> selectivity of guanfacine for α2A-adrenoceptor subtype may underlie its

> differences from clonidine.

Has anyone tried Guanfacine?  I am curious about whether there is a 
subjective improvement in concentration with this drug.

It seems to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD but I have 
not heard of a physician that prescribes it for that purpose.