The invention provides methods and medicaments for improving attentiveness in humans, including subjects diagnosed with attention disorders. In one aspect, a GABAB receptor antagonist, such as 3-aminopropyl-(n-butyl)-phosphinic acid (ABPA), is used to improve attention.
Claims: 1. A method for treatment of an attention disorder comprising administering an effective amount of a GABAB receptor antagonist to a subject in need of such treatment. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the disorder is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the antagonist is 3-aminopropyl-(n- butyl)-phosphinic acid (ABPA). 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the subject is a child. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the subject is an adolescent. 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the subject is an adult. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the subject is not diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the GABAB receptor antagonist is administered in combination with a second treatment for attention deficit. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the other treatment is selected from the group consisting of dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, pemoline and atomoxetine hydrochloride. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the antagonist is administered at least once per week for one, two, three or more than three weeks. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the antagonist is daily for at least one week. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the antagonist is administered over a period of at least eight weeks. 13. The method of claim 1 comprising (a) diagnosing a disorder of attention in a subject, (b) administering a GABAB receptor antagonist to the subject and (c) determining whether one or more manifestations of the disorder are reduced in the subject. 14. The method of claim 1 comprising (a) administering a GABAB receptor antagonist to the subject diagnosed with a disorder of attention and (b) determining whether one or more manifestations of the disorder are reduced in the subject. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the disorder is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the antagonist is 3-aminopropyl-(n- butyl)-phosphinic acid (ABPA). 17. The method of claim 1 comprising (a) diagnosing an ADD or ADHD in a subject, (b) administering a GABA<B>receptor antagonist to the subject for a period of time, and (c) detecting an improvement in a quantitative measure of attention following step (b). 18. The method of claim 1 comprising (a) administering a GABAB receptor antagonist for a period of time to a subject diagnosed with a disorder of attention and (b) detecting an improvement in a quantitative measure of attention following step (a). 19. A method for treatment of an attention disorder comprising administering a daily dose of from 10 mg to 2100 mg of 3-aminopropyl-(n-butyl)- phosphinic acid (ABPA) for at least eight weeks to a subject in need of treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 20. A method for enhancing attention and/or reducing hyperactivity in a subject comprising administering a GABAB receptor antagonist to the subject. 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the antagonist is 3-aminopropyl-(n- butyl)-phosphinic acid (ABPA). 22. A method for identification of an agent useful for treatment of a disorder of attention comprising (1 ) identifying an agent as a GABAB receptor antagonist and (2) determining whether the antagonist has an attention enhancing effect in a mammal.