Abstract
Background
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychomotor stimulant medication widely used for the treatment
of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given the extent of prescribed
use of MPH, and because MPH interacts with the same brain pathways activated by drugs
of abuse, most research has focused on assessing MPH's potential to alter an individual's
risk for adult drug addiction. Data examining other potential long-term behavioral
consequences of early MPH administration are lacking, however.
Methods
We investigated the long-term behavioral consequences of chronic administration of
MPH (2.0 mg/kg) during pre- and periadolescent development in adult rats by assessing
their behavioral reactivity to a variety of emotional stimuli.
Results
The MPH-treated animals were significantly less responsive to natural rewards such
as sucrose, novelty-induced activity, and sex compared with vehicle-treated control
animals. In contrast, MPH-treated animals were significantly more sensitive to stressful
situations, showed increased anxiety-like behaviors, and had enhanced plasma levels
of corticosterone.
Conclusions
Chronic exposure to MPH during development leads to decreased sensitivity to rewarding
stimuli and results in enhanced responsivity to aversive situations. These results
highlight the need for further research to improve understanding of the effects of
stimulants on the developing nervous system and the potential enduring effects resulting
from early-life drug exposure.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 12,
2003
Received in revised form:
May 5,
2003
Received:
February 7,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
