Abstract
Background
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a stimulant prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). Stimulant drugs can cause enduring behavioral adaptations, including
altered drug sensitivity, in laboratory animals. We examined how early developmental
exposure to stimulants affects behavior in several rodent models.
Methods
Rats received MPH or cocaine during preadolescence (P20–35). Behavioral studies began
during adulthood (P60). We compared how early exposure to MPH and cocaine affects
sensitivity to the rewarding and aversive properties of cocaine using place conditioning.
We also examined the effects of early exposure to MPH on depressive-like signs using
the forced swim test, and habituation of spontaneous locomotion, within activity chambers.
Results
In place-conditioning tests, early exposure to MPH or cocaine each made moderate doses
of cocaine aversive and high doses less rewarding. Early MPH exposure also caused
depressive-like effects in the forced swim test, and it attenuated habituation to
the activity chambers.
Conclusions
Early exposure to MPH causes behavioral changes in rats that endure into adulthood.
Some changes (reduced sensitivity to cocaine reward) may be beneficial, whereas others
(increases in depressive-like signs, reduced habituation) may be detrimental. The
effects of MPH on cocaine-related behaviors may be a general consequence of early
stimulant exposure.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 27,
2003
Received in revised form:
July 18,
2003
Received:
February 18,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
