Enhancing Operational Performance in Healthy Rested Soldiers With Pharmacological Stimulants

Considerable research has documented the optimization utility of stimulants in sleep deprived Soldiers and aviators, however, the research for enhancement purposes has demonstrated mixed results. One significant factor that may influence enhancement properties is general intelligence such that low performers exhibit stronger enhancement effects than high performers. The objective of this study is to determine whether stimulants (specifically, modafinil and Adderall) can enhance Soldier cognitive abilities and performance on military tasks. To do so, a within-subjects design will be employed using healthy, rested Soldiers and measuring performance on a set of basic cognitive assessments and operationally relevant tasks.