Final answer:
The primary purpose of stimulant medications in treating ADHD is to increase attention and focus, and to reduce hyperactivity, by enhancing neurotransmitter activity in the brain's impulse control areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of stimulant medications in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is to increase attention and focus, as well as to reduce hyperactivity. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, have effects at therapeutic doses that include increased focus, decreased appetite, decreased need for sleep, and decreased impulsivity, which can lead to an overall calming effect in patients with ADHD. This may seem counterintuitive since ADHD involves hyperactivity, yet these medications work by increasing neurotransmitter activity within parts of the brain associated with impulse control such as the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia.