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Based on many clinical and preclinical findings the ‘vigilance regulation model of mania’ postulates that an unstable regulation of wakefulness is a pathogenetic factor in both mania and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and induces hyperactivity and sensation seeking as an autoregulatory attempt to stabilize wakefulness. Accordingly, stimulant medications with their vigilance stabilizing properties could have rapid antimanic effects similar to their beneficial effects in ADHD. The MEMAP study – a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized clinical trial (RCT) – assessed the antimanic efficacy and safety of a 2.5-day treatment with methylphenidate (20–40 mg/day). Of 157 screened patients with acute mania, 42 were randomly assigned to receive 20–40 mg per day of methylphenidate in one or two applications, or placebo. The primary outcome was the change in Young Mania Rating …