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Alam N, Choudhary K. Neurochemical Effects of Methylphenidate and Modafinil in Ameliorating Stress-Induced Cognitive Deficits. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1357-1372. [PMID: 37854618 PMCID: PMC10580386 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic stressful situations result in altered monoaminergic activity of neurotransmitters, resulting in various conditions characterized by deficits in learning, memory and attention. Stimulant effects can be visualized in terms of increased cognitive abilities through enhancement of dopamine (DA) release. METHOD This study examined cognitive responses and brain DA and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) levels after prolonged methylphenidate (MPH) and modafinil administration, to demonstrate their effect on stress-induced cognitive deficits in rats. Effects on cognition were evaluated by passive avoidance and water maze tests. Furthermore brain levels of DA, homovanillic acid (HVA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. RESULTS We found that both MPH and modafinil improved cognition in both restrained and unrestrained rats, as examined through water maze and passive avoidance tests. Furthermore, these substance were associated with increased brain DA and 5-HT levels. Notabily, we observed decrease in DOPAC and HVA levels, while 5-HIAA levels exhibited a slight increase. CONCLUSIONS The prevention of stress-induced cognitive deficits by MPH and modafinil could be elucidated through the interaction between 5HT and DA in regulating cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausheen Alam
- Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science
and Technology, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
| | - Kulsoom Choudhary
- Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science
and Technology, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
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2
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Puech C, Badran M, Barrow MB, Runion AR, Gozal D. Solriamfetol improves chronic sleep fragmentation-induced increases in sleep propensity and ameliorates explicit memory in male mice. Sleep 2023; 46:zsad057. [PMID: 36866452 PMCID: PMC10413435 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by episodes of partial or complete breath cessation during sleep that induces sleep fragmentation (SF). One of the frequent manifestations of OSA is the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with cognitive deficits. Solriamfetol (SOL) and modafinil (MOD) are wake-promoting agents commonly prescribed to improve wakefulness in OSA patients with EDS. This study aimed to assess the effects of SOL and MOD in a murine model of OSA characterized by periodic SF. Male C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to either control sleep (SC) or SF (mimicking OSA) during the light period (06:00 h to 18:00 h) for 4 weeks, which consistently induces sustained excessive sleepiness during the dark phase. Both groups were then randomly assigned to receive once-daily intraperitoneal injections of SOL (200 mg/kg), MOD (200 mg/kg), or vehicle for 1 week while continuing exposures to SF or SC. Sleep/wake activity and sleep propensity were assessed during the dark phase. Novel Object Recognition test, Elevated-Plus Maze Test, and Forced Swim Test were performed before and after treatment. SOL or MOD decreased sleep propensity in SF, but only SOL induced improvements in explicit memory, while MOD exhibited increased anxiety behaviors. Chronic SF, a major hallmark of OSA, induces EDS in young adult mice that is mitigated by both SOL and MOD. SOL, but not MOD, significantly improves SF-induced cognitive deficits. Increased anxiety behaviors are apparent in MOD-treated mice. Further studies aiming to elucidate the beneficial cognitive effects of SOL are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clementine Puech
- Child Health Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Mohammad Badran
- Child Health Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Max B Barrow
- Undergraduate Student Research Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Alexandra R Runion
- Undergraduate Student Research Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - David Gozal
- Child Health Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
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3
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Ang YS, Cusin C, Petibon Y, Dillon DG, Breiger M, Belleau EL, Normandin M, Schroder H, Boyden S, Hayden E, Levine MT, Jahan A, Meyer AK, Kang MS, Brunner D, Gelda SE, Hooker J, El Fakhri G, Fava M, Pizzagalli DA. A multi-pronged investigation of option generation using depression, PET and modafinil. Brain 2022; 145:1854-1865. [PMID: 35150243 PMCID: PMC9166534 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Option generation is a critical process in decision making, but previous studies have largely focused on choices between options given by a researcher. Consequently, how we self-generate options for behaviour remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated option generation in major depressive disorder and how dopamine might modulate this process, as well as the effects of modafinil (a putative cognitive enhancer) on option generation in healthy individuals. We first compared differences in self-generated options between healthy non-depressed adults [n = 44, age = 26.3 years (SD 5.9)] and patients with major depressive disorder [n = 54, age = 24.8 years (SD 7.4)]. In the second study, a subset of depressed individuals [n = 22, age = 25.6 years (SD 7.8)] underwent PET scans with 11C-raclopride to examine the relationships between dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability and individual differences in option generation. Finally, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study of modafinil (100 mg and 200 mg), was conducted in an independent sample of healthy people [n = 19, age = 23.2 years (SD 4.8)] to compare option generation under different doses of this drug. The first study revealed that patients with major depressive disorder produced significantly fewer options [t(96) = 2.68, P = 0.009, Cohen's d = 0.54], albeit with greater uniqueness [t(96) = -2.54, P = 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.52], on the option generation task compared to healthy controls. In the second study, we found that 11C-raclopride binding potential in the putamen was negatively correlated with fluency (r = -0.69, P = 0.001) but positively associated with uniqueness (r = 0.59, P = 0.007). Hence, depressed individuals with higher densities of unoccupied putamen D2/D3 receptors in the putamen generated fewer but more unique options, whereas patients with lower D2/D3 receptor availability were likely to produce a larger number of similar options. Finally, healthy participants were less unique [F(2,36) = 3.32, P = 0.048, partial η2 = 0.16] and diverse [F(2,36) = 4.31, P = 0.021, partial η2 = 0.19] after taking 200 mg versus 100 mg and 0 mg of modafinil, while fluency increased linearly with dosage at a trend level [F(1,18) = 4.11, P = 0.058, partial η2 = 0.19]. Our results show, for the first time, that option generation is affected in clinical depression and that dopaminergic activity in the putamen of patients with major depressive disorder may play a key role in the self-generation of options. Modafinil was also found to influence option generation in healthy people by reducing the creativity of options produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen-Siang Ang
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Social and Cognitive Computing Department, Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Cristina Cusin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yoann Petibon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniel G Dillon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Micah Breiger
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Emily L Belleau
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marc Normandin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hans Schroder
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sean Boyden
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emma Hayden
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - M Taylor Levine
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Aava Jahan
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ashley K Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Min Su Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Devon Brunner
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Steven E Gelda
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jacob Hooker
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Georges El Fakhri
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Correspondence to: Diego A. Pizzagalli, PhD McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA E-mail:
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Cognitive profiling and proteomic analysis of the modafinil analogue S-CE-123 in experienced aged rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23962. [PMID: 34907284 PMCID: PMC8671572 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03372-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of novel cognitive enhancer drugs in the clinic highlights the prediction problems of animal assays. The objective of the current study was to test a putative cognitive enhancer in a rodent cognitive test system with improved translational validity and clinical predictivity. Cognitive profiling was complemented with post mortem proteomic analysis. Twenty-seven male Lister Hooded rats (26 months old) having learned several cognitive tasks were subchronically treated with S-CE-123 (CE-123) in a randomized blind experiment. Rats were sacrificed after the last behavioural procedure and plasma and brains were collected. A label-free quantification approach was used to characterize proteomic changes in the synaptosomal fraction of the prefrontal cortex. CE-123 markedly enhanced motivation which resulted in superior performance in a new-to-learn operant discrimination task and in a cooperation assay of social cognition, and mildly increased impulsivity. The compound did not affect attention, spatial and motor learning. Proteomic quantification revealed 182 protein groups significantly different between treatment groups containing several proteins associated with aging and neurodegeneration. Bioinformatic analysis showed the most relevant clusters delineating synaptic vesicle recycling, synapse organisation and antioxidant activity. The cognitive profile of CE-123 mapped by the test system resembles that of modafinil in the clinic showing the translational validity of the test system. The findings of modulated synaptic systems are paralleling behavioral results and are in line with previous evidence for the role of altered synaptosomal protein groups in mechanisms of cognitive function.
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5
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Hersey M, Bacon AK, Bailey LG, Coggiano MA, Newman AH, Leggio L, Tanda G. Psychostimulant Use Disorder, an Unmet Therapeutic Goal: Can Modafinil Narrow the Gap? Front Neurosci 2021; 15:656475. [PMID: 34121988 PMCID: PMC8187604 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.656475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of individuals affected by psychostimulant use disorder (PSUD) has increased rapidly over the last few decades resulting in economic, emotional, and physical burdens on our society. Further compounding this issue is the current lack of clinically approved medications to treat this disorder. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a common target of psychostimulant actions related to their use and dependence, and the recent availability of atypical DAT inhibitors as a potential therapeutic option has garnered popularity in this research field. Modafinil (MOD), which is approved for clinical use for the treatment of narcolepsy and sleep disorders, blocks DAT just like commonly abused psychostimulants. However, preclinical and clinical studies have shown that it lacks the addictive properties (in both behavioral and neurochemical studies) associated with other abused DAT inhibitors. Clinical availability of MOD has facilitated its off-label use for several psychiatric disorders related to alteration of brain dopamine (DA) systems, including PSUD. In this review, we highlight clinical and preclinical research on MOD and its R-enantiomer, R-MOD, as potential medications for PSUD. Given the complexity of PSUD, we have also reported the effects of MOD on psychostimulant-induced appearance of several symptoms that could intensify the severity of the disease (i.e., sleep disorders and impairment of cognitive functions), besides the potential therapeutic effects of MOD on PSUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Hersey
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amanda K. Bacon
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lydia G. Bailey
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark A. Coggiano
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amy H. Newman
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Clinical Psychoneuroendo- crinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gianluigi Tanda
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Heyer-Osorno R, Juárez J. Modafinil reduces choice impulsivity while increasing motor activity in preadolescent rats treated prenatally with alcohol. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 194:172936. [PMID: 32360693 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Rats exposed prenatally to alcohol show a reduction in the spontaneous activity of dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as greater impulsive behavior and motor activity, behavioral alterations that have been related to dopaminergic dysfunction. Modafinil (MOD) is a dopamine (DA) reuptake blocker prescribed to treat sleep disorders; however, in recent years it has been used for the treatment of ADHD with positive results. Also, studies in humans and rodents show beneficial effects on learning and attention; however, studies evaluating MOD effects on impulsivity are few and show contradictory results. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of a daily dose of MOD (60 mg/kg i.g.) on cognitive (or choice) impulsivity and motor activity in male preadolescent rats exposed prenatally to alcohol or sucrose (isocaloric control). MOD reduced the impulsive responses in a delay discounting task (DDT) at the same time that increased the motor activity, in both healthy and prenatal alcohol treated rats; however, MOD reduced the response latency in DDT only in prenatal alcohol treated rats. This differential effect of DA activation on impulsivity and motor activity show that the MOD dose that improves the impulse control, does not necessarily decrease motor activity, and suggests a possible differential neural mechanism underlying the expression of these behaviors. On the other hand, the changes in the response latency, only in prenatal alcohol treated groups, suggest that decision-making in animals with a dopaminergic dysfunction is more susceptible to be affected by MOD action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Heyer-Osorno
- Laboratorio de Farmacología y Conducta, Instituto de Neurociencias, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Jorge Juárez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología y Conducta, Instituto de Neurociencias, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
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7
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Differential effect of modafinil on impulsivity, attention and motor activity in preadolescent rats prenatally treated with alcohol. Brain Res 2019; 1722:146395. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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8
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Nilsson SRO, Heath CJ, Takillah S, Didienne S, Fejgin K, Nielsen V, Nielsen J, Saksida LM, Mariani J, Faure P, Didriksen M, Robbins TW, Bussey TJ, Mar AC. Continuous performance test impairment in a 22q11.2 microdeletion mouse model: improvement by amphetamine. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:247. [PMID: 30429456 PMCID: PMC6235862 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0295-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) confers high risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. These disorders are associated with attentional impairment, the remediation of which is important for successful therapeutic intervention. We assessed a 22q11.2DS mouse model (Df(h22q11)/+) on a touchscreen rodent continuous performance test (rCPT) of attention and executive function that is analogous to human CPT procedures. Relative to wild-type littermates, Df(h22q11)/+ male mice showed impaired attentional performance as shown by decreased correct response ratio (hit rate) and a reduced ability to discriminate target stimuli from non-target stimuli (discrimination sensitivity, or d'). The Df(h22q11)/+ model exhibited decreased prefrontal cortical-hippocampal oscillatory synchrony within multiple frequency ranges during quiet wakefulness, which may represent a biomarker of cognitive dysfunction. The stimulant amphetamine (0-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently improved d' in Df(h22q11)/+ mice whereas the highest dose of modafinil (40 mg/kg, i.p.) exacerbated their d' impairment. This is the first report to directly implicate attentional impairment in a 22q11.2DS mouse model, mirroring a key endophenotype of the human disorder. The capacity of the rCPT to detect performance impairments in the 22q11.2DS mouse model, and improvement following psychostimulant-treatment, highlights the utility and translational potential of the Df(h22q11)/+ model and this automated behavioral procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon R. O. Nilsson
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000000121885934grid.5335.0MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000 0001 2109 4251grid.240324.3Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY USA ,0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Christopher J. Heath
- 0000000096069301grid.10837.3dSchool of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Samir Takillah
- Fatigue and Vigilance team, Neuroscience and Operational Constraints Department, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA), Brétigny-sur-Orge, France ,0000 0001 2188 0914grid.10992.33VIFASOM team (EA 7330), Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France ,0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, INSERM, U1130, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), UMR 8246 Neuroscience Paris Seine (NPS), Team Neurophysiology and Behavior, Paris, France ,Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), UMR 8256 Biological adaptation and ageing (B2A), Team Brain Development, Repair and Ageing, Paris, France ,APHP Hôpital, DHU Fast, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Steve Didienne
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, INSERM, U1130, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), UMR 8246 Neuroscience Paris Seine (NPS), Team Neurophysiology and Behavior, Paris, France
| | - Kim Fejgin
- 0000 0004 0476 7612grid.424580.fH. Lundbeck A/S, Synaptic Transmission, Neuroscience Research DK, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Nielsen
- 0000 0004 0476 7612grid.424580.fH. Lundbeck A/S, Synaptic Transmission, Neuroscience Research DK, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Nielsen
- 0000 0004 0476 7612grid.424580.fH. Lundbeck A/S, Synaptic Transmission, Neuroscience Research DK, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lisa M. Saksida
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000000121885934grid.5335.0MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Jean Mariani
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), UMR 8256 Biological adaptation and ageing (B2A), Team Brain Development, Repair and Ageing, Paris, France ,APHP Hôpital, DHU Fast, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Philippe Faure
- 0000 0001 2188 0914grid.10992.33VIFASOM team (EA 7330), Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Michael Didriksen
- 0000 0004 0476 7612grid.424580.fH. Lundbeck A/S, Synaptic Transmission, Neuroscience Research DK, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000000121885934grid.5335.0MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy J. Bussey
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000000121885934grid.5335.0MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Adam C. Mar
- 0000 0001 2109 4251grid.240324.3Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY USA ,0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY USA
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Ding Z, Brown JW, Rueter LE, Mohler EG. Profiling attention and cognition enhancing drugs in a rat touchscreen-based continuous performance test. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1093-1105. [PMID: 29332255 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4827-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE A novel rodent continuous performance test (CPT) was developed as one of the goals of the NEWMEDS (Novel Methods leading to New Medications in Depression and Schizophrenia) consortium to improve its translatability to the CPT test used in human subjects. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of attention and cognition enhancing drugs in rodent CPT. METHODS A single cohort of rats were trained to asymptotic performance in the test. Pharmacological test sessions were then performed twice per week in a full crossover design with the following drugs tested: methylphenidate (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg), the α4β2 nicotinic agonist ABT-594 (0.0023, 0.007 and 0.023 mg/kg), modafinil (8, 16, and 32 mg/kg), atomoxetine (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg), donepezil (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg), and memantine (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg). RESULTS The stimulant-like drugs methylphenidate, ABT-594, and modafinil were found to increase measures of impulsivity and overall responding with generally no positive effects on d', a putative measure of attention, with the exception of ABT-594 which improved d' at the highest dose tested. Atomoxetine and the memory-enhancing drugs donepezil and memantine, on the other hand, were found to reduce measures of impulsivity and responding and had either negligible or worsening effects on d'. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest rodent CPT can detect changes in impulsivity resulting from drugs known to improve attention in rodents and humans. However, additional work is needed to assess the sensitivity and validity of this assay for assessing effects on attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Ding
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, AbbVie, 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, IL, 60046, USA
| | - Jordan W Brown
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, AbbVie, 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, IL, 60046, USA
| | - Lynne E Rueter
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, AbbVie, 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, IL, 60046, USA
| | - Eric G Mohler
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, AbbVie, 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, IL, 60046, USA.
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10
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Dhawan SS, Xia S, Tait DS, Bundgaard C, Bowman E, Brown VJ. Oral dosing of rodents using a palatable tablet. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1527-1532. [PMID: 29511808 PMCID: PMC5919998 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4863-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Delivering orally bioavailable drugs to rodents is an important component to investigating that route of administration in novel treatments for humans. However, the traditional method of oral gavage requires training, is stressful, and can induce oesophageal damage in rodents. OBJECTIVES To demonstrate a novel administrative technique-palatable gelatine tablets-as a stress-free route of oral delivery. METHODS Twenty-four male Lister hooded rats were sacrificed for brain tissue analysis at varying time-points after jelly administration of 30 mg/kg of the wake-promoting drug modafinil. A second group of 22 female rats were tested on locomotor activity after 30 mg/kg modafinil, or after vehicle jellies, with the locomotor data compared to the brain tissue concentrations at the corresponding times. RESULTS Modafinil was present in the brain tissue at all time-points, reducing in concentration over time. The pattern of brain tissue modafinil concentration is comparable to previously reported results following oral gavage. Modafinil-treated rats were more active than control rats, with greater activity during the later time-periods-similar to that previously reported following intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg modafinil. CONCLUSIONS Palatable jelly tablets are an effective route of administration of thermally stable orally bioavailable compounds, eliminating the stress/discomfort and health risk of oral gavage and presenting as an alternative to previously reported palatable routes of administration where high protein and fat levels may adversely affect appetite for food reward, and uptake rate in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep S. Dhawan
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP UK
| | - Shuang Xia
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP UK
| | - David S. Tait
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP UK
| | | | - Ellen Bowman
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP UK
| | - Verity J. Brown
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP UK
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11
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Mar AC, Nilsson SRO, Gamallo-Lana B, Lei M, Dourado T, Alsiö J, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Robbins TW. MAM-E17 rat model impairments on a novel continuous performance task: effects of potential cognitive enhancing drugs. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2837-2857. [PMID: 28744563 PMCID: PMC5591806 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4679-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Impairments in attention and inhibitory control are endophenotypic markers of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and represent key targets for therapeutic management. Robust preclinical models and assays sensitive to clinically relevant treatments are crucial for improving cognitive enhancement strategies. OBJECTIVES We assessed a rodent model with neural and behavioral features relevant to schizophrenia (gestational day 17 methylazoxymethanol acetate treatment (MAM-E17)) on a novel test of attention and executive function, and examined the impact of putative nootropic drugs. METHODS MAM-E17 and sham control rats were trained on a novel touchscreen-based rodent continuous performance test (rCPT) designed to closely mimic the human CPT paradigm. Performance following acute, systemic treatment with an array of pharmacological compounds was investigated. RESULTS Two cohorts of MAM-E17 rats were impaired on rCPT performance including deficits in sensitivity (d') and increased false alarm rates (FARs). Sulpiride (0-30 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced elevated FAR in MAM-E17 rats whereas low-dose modafinil (8 mg/kg) only improved d' in sham controls. ABT-594 (5.9-19.4 μg/kg) and modafinil (64 mg/kg) showed expected stimulant-like effects, while LSN2463359 (5 mg/kg), RO493858 (10 mg/kg), atomoxetine (0.3-1 mg/kg), and sulpiride (30 mg/kg) showed expected suppressant effects on performance across all animals. Donepezil (0.1-1 mg/kg) showed near-significant enhancements in d', and EVP-6124 (0.3-3 mg/kg) exerted no effects in the rCPT paradigm. CONCLUSION The MAM-E17 model exhibits robust and replicable impairments in rCPT performance that resemble attention and inhibitory control deficits seen in schizophrenia. Pharmacological profiles were highly consistent with known drug effects on cognition in preclinical and clinical studies. The rCPT is a sensitive and reliable tool with high translational potential for understanding the etiology and treatment of disorders affecting attention and executive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Mar
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Simon R O Nilsson
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Begoña Gamallo-Lana
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Health Industry Management, Beijing International Studies University, 1 Dingfuzhuang Nanli, Beijing, China
| | - Theda Dourado
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Functional Neurobiology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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12
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Shanmugasundaram B, Aher YD, Aradska J, Ilic M, Daba Feyissa D, Kalaba P, Aher NY, Dragacevic V, Saber Marouf B, Langer T, Sitte HH, Hoeger H, Lubec G, Korz V. R-Modafinil exerts weak effects on spatial memory acquisition and dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28644892 PMCID: PMC5482457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Modafinil is a wake promoting drug approved for clinical use and also has cognitive enhancing properties. Its enantiomer R-Modafinil (R-MO) is not well studied in regard to cognitive enhancing properties. Hence we studied its effect in a spatial memory paradigm and its possible effects on dentate gyrus long-term potentiation (DG-LTP). Clinically relevant doses of R-MO, vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or saline were administered for three days during the hole-board test and in in vivo DG-LTP. Synaptic levels of dopamine receptors D1R, D2R, dopamine transporter (DAT), and its phosphorylated form (ph-DAT) in DG tissue 4 h after LTP induction were quantified by western blot analysis. Monoamine reuptake and release assays were performed by using transfected HEK-293 cells. Possible neurotoxic side effects on general behaviour were also studied. R-MO at both doses significantly enhanced spatial reference memory during the last training session and during memory retrieval compared to DMSO vehicle but not when compared to saline treated rats. Similarly, R-MO rescues DG-LTP from impairing effects of DMSO. DMSO reduced memory performance and LTP magnitude when compared to saline treated groups. The synaptic DR1 levels in R-MO groups were significantly decreased compared to DMSO group but were comparable with saline treated animals. We found no effect of R-MO in neurotoxicity tests. Thus, our results support the notion that LTP-like synaptic plasticity processes could be one of the factors contributing to the cognitive enhancing effects of spatial memory traces. D1R may play an important regulatory role in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yogesh D. Aher
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Aradska
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marija Ilic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nilima Y. Aher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Dragacevic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Babak Saber Marouf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Hoeger
- Core Unit of Biomedical Research, Division of Laboratory Animal Science and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Himberg, Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Neuroproteomics Laboratory, Science Park, Bratislava, Slowakia
- * E-mail: (GL); (VK)
| | - Volker Korz
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (GL); (VK)
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13
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Punzi M, Gili T, Petrosini L, Caltagirone C, Spalletta G, Sensi SL. Modafinil-Induced Changes in Functional Connectivity in the Cortex and Cerebellum of Healthy Elderly Subjects. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:85. [PMID: 28424611 PMCID: PMC5371677 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, cognitive enhancing drugs (CEDs) have gained growing interest and the focus of investigations aimed at exploring their use to potentiate the cognitive performances of healthy individuals. Most of this exploratory CED-related research has been performed on young adults. However, CEDs may also help to maintain optimal brain functioning or compensate for subtle and or subclinical deficits associated with brain aging or early-stage dementia. In this study, we assessed effects on resting state brain activity in a group of healthy elderly subjects undergoing acute administration of modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent. To that aim, participants (n = 24) were investigated with resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) before and after the administration of a single dose (100 mg) of modafinil. Effects were compared to age and size-matched placebo group. Rs-fMRI effects were assessed, employing a graph-based approach and Eigenvector Centrality (EC) analysis, by taking in account topological changes occurring in functional brain networks. The main finding of the study is that modafinil promotes enhanced centrality, a measure of the importance of nodes within functional networks, of the bilateral primary visual (V1) cortex. EC analysis also revealed that modafinil-treated subjects show increased functional connectivity between the V1 and specific cerebellar (Crus I, Crus II, VIIIa lobule) and frontal (right inferior frontal sulcus and left middle frontal gyrus) regions. Present findings provide functional data supporting the hypothesis that modafinil can modulate the cortico-cerebellar connectivity of the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Punzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-PescaraChieti, Italy.,Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (Ce.S.I.-Me.T.), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-PescaraChieti, Italy
| | - Tommaso Gili
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico FermiRome, Italy.,Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Section of Neuroscience and "Daniel Bovet" Neurobiology Research Center, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy.,Department of Medicine of Systems, University of Rome Tor VergataRome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-PescaraChieti, Italy.,Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (Ce.S.I.-Me.T.), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-PescaraChieti, Italy.,Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Institute for Mind Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, IrvineCA, USA
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14
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Roschlau C, Votteler A, Hauber W. Stimulant drug effects on touchscreen automated paired-associates learning (PAL) in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:422-6. [PMID: 27421894 PMCID: PMC4947238 DOI: 10.1101/lm.040345.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Here we tested in rats effects of the procognitive drugs modafinil and methylphenidate on post-acquisition performance in an object–location paired-associates learning (PAL) task. Modafinil (32; 64 mg/kg) was without effect, while higher (9 mg/kg) but not lower (4.5 mg/kg) doses of methylphenidate impaired PAL performance. Likewise, higher but not lower doses of amphetamine (0.4; 0.8 mg/kg) and MK-801 (0.08; 0.12 mg/kg) decreased PAL performance. Impaired PAL performance induced by methylphenidate, amphetamine, and MK801 most likely reflects compromised cognitive function, e.g., retrieval of learned paired associates. Our data suggest that stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil might not facilitate performance in hippocampus-related cognitive tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Roschlau
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Angeline Votteler
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hauber
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
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15
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Michalopoulou PG, Lewis SW, Drake RJ, Reichenberg A, Emsley R, Kalpakidou AK, Lees J, Bobin T, Gilleen JK, Pandina G, Applegate E, Wykes T, Kapur S. Modafinil combined with cognitive training: pharmacological augmentation of cognitive training in schizophrenia. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1178-89. [PMID: 25921551 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Several efforts to develop pharmacological treatments with a beneficial effect on cognition in schizophrenia are underway, while cognitive remediation has shown modest effects on cognitive performance. Our goal was to test if pharmacological augmentation of cognitive training would result in enhancement of training-induced learning. We chose modafinil as the pharmacological augmenting agent, as it is known to have beneficial effects on learning and cognition. 49 participants with chronic schizophrenia were enroled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study across two sites and were randomised to either modafinil (200mg/day) or placebo. All participants engaged in a cognitive training program for 10 consecutive weekdays. The primary outcome measure was the performance on the trained tasks and secondary outcome measures included MATRICS cognitive battery, proxy measures of everyday functioning and symptom measures. 84% of the participants completed all study visits. Both groups showed significant improvement in the performance of the trained tasks suggesting potential for further learning. Modafinil did not induce differential enhancement on the performance of the trained tasks or any differential enhancement of the neuropsychological and functional measures compared to placebo. Modafinil showed no significant effects on symptom severity. Our study demonstrated that combining pharmacological compounds with cognitive training is acceptable to patients and can be implemented in large double-blind randomised controlled trials. The lack of differential enhancement of training-induced learning raises questions, such as choice and optimal dose of drug, cognitive domains to be trained, type of cognitive training, intervention duration and chronicity of illness that require systematic investigation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiota G Michalopoulou
- Section on Schizophrenia, Imaging and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, PO Box 053, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Shôn W Lewis
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Richard J Drake
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, USA; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, UK
| | - Richard Emsley
- Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Anastasia K Kalpakidou
- Section on Schizophrenia, Imaging and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, PO Box 053, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Jane Lees
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Tracey Bobin
- Section on Schizophrenia, Imaging and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, PO Box 053, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - James K Gilleen
- Section on Schizophrenia, Imaging and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, PO Box 053, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | | | - Eve Applegate
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Til Wykes
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, UK
| | - Shitij Kapur
- Section on Schizophrenia, Imaging and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, PO Box 053, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
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16
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Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer of spatial working memory in rats. Physiol Behav 2015; 142:126-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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17
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Nixon JP, Mavanji V, Butterick TA, Billington CJ, Kotz CM, Teske JA. Sleep disorders, obesity, and aging: the role of orexin. Ageing Res Rev 2015; 20:63-73. [PMID: 25462194 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptides orexin A and B (hypocretin 1 and 2) are important homeostatic mediators of central control of energy metabolism and maintenance of sleep/wake states. Dysregulation or loss of orexin signaling has been linked to narcolepsy, obesity, and age-related disorders. In this review, we present an overview of our current understanding of orexin function, focusing on sleep disorders, energy balance, and aging, in both rodents and humans. We first discuss animal models used in studies of obesity and sleep, including loss of function using transgenic or viral-mediated approaches, gain of function models using exogenous delivery of orexin receptor agonist, and naturally-occurring models in which orexin responsiveness varies by individual. We next explore rodent models of orexin in aging, presenting evidence that orexin loss contributes to age-related changes in sleep and energy balance. In the next section, we focus on clinical importance of orexin in human obesity, sleep, and aging. We include discussion of orexin loss in narcolepsy and potential importance of orexin in insomnia, correlations between animal and human studies of age-related decline, and evidence for orexin involvement in age-related changes in cognitive performance. Finally, we present a summary of recent studies of orexin in neurodegenerative disease. We conclude that orexin acts as an integrative homeostatic signal influencing numerous brain regions, and that this pivotal role results in potential dysregulation of multiple physiological processes when orexin signaling is disrupted or lost.
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Abstract
The ability to focus one's attention on important environmental stimuli while ignoring irrelevant stimuli is fundamental to human cognition and intellectual function. Attention is inextricably linked to perception, learning and memory, and executive function; however, it is often impaired in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Accordingly, attention is considered as an important therapeutic target in these disorders. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the most common behavioral paradigms of attention that have been used in animals (particularly rodents) and to review the literature where these tasks have been employed to elucidate neurobiological substrates of attention as well as to evaluate novel pharmacological agents for their potential as treatments for disorders of attention. These paradigms include two tasks of sustained attention that were developed as rodent analogues of the human Continuous Performance Task (CPT), the Five-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5-CSRTT) and the more recently introduced Five-Choice Continuous Performance Task (5C-CPT), and the Signal Detection Task (SDT) which was designed to emphasize temporal components of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, CB-3545, Georgia Regents University, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912-2450, USA
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19
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Loomis S, McCarthy A, Baxter C, Kellett DO, Edgar DM, Tricklebank M, Gilmour G. Distinct pro-vigilant profile induced in rats by the mGluR5 potentiator LSN2814617. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3977-89. [PMID: 25902875 PMCID: PMC4600478 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
While treatment options are available, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) remains a significant unmet medical need for many patients. Relatively little rodent behavioural pharmacology has been conducted in this context to assess potential pro-vigilant compounds for their ability to restore functional capacity following experimentally induced sleep loss. Male Wistar rats were prepared for electroencephalographic (EEG) recording and subject to 11 h of sleep restriction using a biofeedback-induced cage rotation protocol. A simple response latency task (SRLT) was used to behaviourally index sleep restriction and the effects of pro-vigilant compounds: modafinil, D-amphetamine, caffeine, and the mGlu5-positive allosteric modulator LSN2814617. Sleep restriction resulted in a consistent, quantified loss of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep that impaired SRLT performance in a manner suggestive of progressive task disengagement. In terms of EEG parameters, all compounds induced wakefulness. Amphetamine treatment further decreased SRLT performance capacity, whereas the other three compounds decreased omissions and allowed animals to re-engage in the task. Caffeine and modafinil also significantly increased premature responses during this period, an effect not observed for LSN2814617. While all compounds caused compensatory sleep responses, the magnitude of compensation observed for LSN2814617 was much smaller than would be predicted to result from the prolongation of wakefulness exhibited. Using simple response latencies to index performance, an mGlu5 PAM dramatically increased wakefulness and improved functional capacity of sleep-restricted animals, without eliciting a proportionate compensatory sleep response. This effect was qualitatively distinct from that of amphetamine, caffeine and modafinil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Loomis
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Andrew McCarthy
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Christopher Baxter
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Daniel O. Kellett
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Dale M. Edgar
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Mark Tricklebank
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH England UK
| | - Gary Gilmour
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH, England, UK.
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20
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Gilleen J, Michalopoulou PG, Reichenberg A, Drake R, Wykes T, Lewis SW, Kapur S. Modafinil combined with cognitive training is associated with improved learning in healthy volunteers--a randomised controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:529-39. [PMID: 24485800 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Improving cognition in people with neuropsychiatric disorders remains a major clinical target. By themselves pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have shown only modest effects in improving cognition. In the present study we tested a recently-proposed methodology to combine CT with a 'cognitive-enhancing' drug to improve cognitive test scores and expanded on previous approaches by delivering combination drug and CT, over a long intervention of repeated sessions, and used multiple tasks to reveal the cognitive processes being enhanced. We also aimed to determine whether gains from this combination approach generalised to untrained tests. In this proof of principle randomised-controlled trial thirty-three healthy volunteers were randomised to receive either modafinil or placebo combined with daily cognitive training over two weeks. Volunteers were trained on tasks of new-language learning, working memory and verbal learning following 200 mg modafinil or placebo for ten days. Improvements in trained and untrained tasks were measured. Rate of new-language learning was significantly enhanced with modafinil, and effects were greatest over the first five sessions. Modafinil improved within-day learning rather than between-day retention. No enhancement of gains with modafinil was observed in working memory nor rate of verbal learning. Gains in all tasks were retained post drug-administration, but transfer effects to broad cognitive abilities were not seen. This study shows that combining CT with modafinil specifically elevates learning over early training sessions compared to CT with placebo and provides a proof of principle experimental paradigm for pharmacological enhancement of cognitive remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gilleen
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - P G Michalopoulou
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - A Reichenberg
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - R Drake
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - T Wykes
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - S W Lewis
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - S Kapur
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
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Grupe M, Grunnet M, Laursen B, Bastlund JF. Neuropharmacological modulation of the P3-like event-related potential in a rat two-tone auditory discrimination task with modafinil and NS9283, a positive allosteric modulator of α4β2 nAChRs. Neuropharmacology 2013; 79:444-55. [PMID: 24361451 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The P300 (P3) event-related potential (ERP) is a neurophysiological signal believed to reflect cognitive processing of salient cues, and is thus used as a measure of attention and working memory. Additionally, P3 amplitude and latency is altered in neurological diseases and can be pharmacologically modulated. As P3-like ERPs can be recorded in rodents, it may serve as a potential translational biomarker of value for drug discovery. Here we investigated whether a positive allosteric modulator of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, NS9283, and the psychostimulant modafinil could modulate P3-like ERPs in healthy adult rats performing an auditory oddball discrimination task. ERPs were recorded with electroencephalography electrodes implanted into mediodorsal (MD) thalamus, medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and auditory cortex (AC). P3-like ERPs were detected in all brain regions, displaying larger amplitudes in target trials compared to non-target trials. Administration of modafinil (64 mg/kg) decreased P3-like ERP latency in MD thalamus and AC, whereas NS9283 augmented P3-like ERP amplitude in MD thalamus at 0.3 mg/kg and in AC at 3.0 mg/kg. Additionally, N1 pre-attention peak amplitude in MD thalamus was increased with 0.3 mg/kg NS9283. Neither of the compounds enhanced task performance. Rather, modafinil lowered correct rejections in non-target trials. In summary, our findings reveal pharmacological modulation of the rat P3-like ERP in cortical and subcortical regions by modafinil and NS9283. These findings encourage further exploration of the rat P3-like ERP in order to promote the understanding of its meaning within cognition, as well as its applicability as a translatable biomarker in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Grupe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Synaptic Transmission 1, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark.
| | - Morten Grunnet
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Synaptic Transmission 1, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark.
| | - Bettina Laursen
- Synaptic Transmission 1, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark; Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Moelleparkvej 4, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark.
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Wood S, Sage JR, Shuman T, Anagnostaras SG. Psychostimulants and cognition: a continuum of behavioral and cognitive activation. Pharmacol Rev 2013; 66:193-221. [PMID: 24344115 PMCID: PMC3880463 DOI: 10.1124/pr.112.007054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulants such as cocaine have been used as performance enhancers throughout recorded history. Although psychostimulants are commonly prescribed to improve attention and cognition, a great deal of literature has described their ability to induce cognitive deficits, as well as addiction. How can a single drug class be known to produce both cognitive enhancement and impairment? Properties of the particular stimulant drug itself and individual differences between users have both been suggested to dictate the outcome of stimulant use. A more parsimonious alternative, which we endorse, is that dose is the critical determining factor in cognitive effects of stimulant drugs. Herein, we review several popular stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine), outlining their history of use, mechanism of action, and use and abuse today. One common graphic depiction of the cognitive effects of psychostimulants is an inverted U-shaped dose-effect curve. Moderate arousal is beneficial to cognition, whereas too much activation leads to cognitive impairment. In parallel to this schematic, we propose a continuum of psychostimulant activation that covers the transition from one drug effect to another as stimulant intake is increased. Low doses of stimulants effect increased arousal, attention, and cognitive enhancement; moderate doses can lead to feelings of euphoria and power, as well as addiction and cognitive impairment; and very high doses lead to psychosis and circulatory collapse. This continuum helps account for the seemingly disparate effects of stimulant drugs, with the same drug being associated with cognitive enhancement and impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Wood
- 9500 Gilman Dr MC 0109, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109.
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Garcia VA, Souza de Freitas B, Busato SB, D'avila Portal BC, Piazza FC, Schröder N. Differential effects of modafinil on memory in naïve and memory-impaired rats. Neuropharmacology 2013; 75:304-11. [PMID: 23958446 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil is a wake-promoting drug and has been approved for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. Modafinil was shown to improve learning and memory in rodents, and to reverse memory deficits induced by sleep deprivation or stress. However, depending on the memory paradigm used, modafinil might also impair memory. We aimed to investigate the effects of modafinil on memory consolidation and retrieval for object recognition and inhibitory avoidance in naïve adult rats. We also investigated whether acute or chronic administration of modafinil would reverse memory deficits induced by iron overload, a model of memory impairment related to neurodegenerative disorders. Adult naïve rats received modafinil (0.0, 0.75, 7.5 or 75 mg/kg) either immediately after training or 1 h prior to testing in object recognition or inhibitory avoidance. Iron-treated rats received modafinil immediately after training in object recognition. In order to investigate the effects of chronic modafinil, iron-treated rats received daily injections of modafinil for 17 days, and 24 h later they were trained in object recognition or inhibitory avoidance. Acute modafinil does not affect memory consolidation or retrieval in naive rats. A single injection of modafinil at the highest dose was able to recover recognition memory in iron-treated rats. Chronic modafinil completely recovered iron-induced recognition memory and emotional memory deficits. Additional preclinical and clinical studies are necessary in order to support the applicability of modafinil in recovering memory impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Athaíde Garcia
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Betânia Souza de Freitas
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Stefano Boemler Busato
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Chaves D'avila Portal
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Francisco Correa Piazza
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Nadja Schröder
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Esposito R, Cilli F, Pieramico V, Ferretti A, Macchia A, Tommasi M, Saggino A, Ciavardelli D, Manna A, Navarra R, Cieri F, Stuppia L, Tartaro A, Sensi SL. Acute effects of modafinil on brain resting state networks in young healthy subjects. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69224. [PMID: 23935959 PMCID: PMC3723829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is growing debate on the use of drugs that promote cognitive enhancement. Amphetamine-like drugs have been employed as cognitive enhancers, but they show important side effects and induce addiction. In this study, we investigated the use of modafinil which appears to have less side effects compared to other amphetamine-like drugs. We analyzed effects on cognitive performances and brain resting state network activity of 26 healthy young subjects. Methodology A single dose (100 mg) of modafinil was administered in a double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Both groups were tested for neuropsychological performances with the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices II set (APM) before and three hours after administration of drug or placebo. Resting state functional magnetic resonance (rs-FMRI) was also used, before and after three hours, to investigate changes in the activity of resting state brain networks. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was employed to evaluate differences in structural connectivity between the two groups. Protocol ID: Modrest_2011; NCT01684306; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01684306. Principal Findings Results indicate that a single dose of modafinil improves cognitive performance as assessed by APM. Rs-fMRI showed that the drug produces a statistically significant increased activation of Frontal Parietal Control (FPC; p<0.04) and Dorsal Attention (DAN; p<0.04) networks. No modifications in structural connectivity were observed. Conclusions and Significance Overall, our findings support the notion that modafinil has cognitive enhancing properties and provide functional connectivity data to support these effects. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01684306 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01684306.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Esposito
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Franco Cilli
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Valentina Pieramico
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonella Macchia
- Department of Psychological sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Marco Tommasi
- Department of Psychological sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Aristide Saggino
- Department of Psychological sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Domenico Ciavardelli
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- School of Engineering, Architecture, and Motor Science, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Antonietta Manna
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Navarra
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Filippo Cieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Psychological sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Armando Tartaro
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center of Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Institute for Mind Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Geng JJ, Soosman S, Sun Y, DiQuattro NE, Stankevitch B, Minzenberg MJ. A Match Made by Modafinil: Probability Matching in Choice Decisions and Spatial Attention. J Cogn Neurosci 2013. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
When predicting where a target or reward will be, participants tend to choose each location commensurate with the true underlying probability (i.e., probability match). The strategy of probability matching involves independent sampling of high and low probability locations on separate trials. In contrast, models of probabilistic spatial attention hypothesize that on any given trial attention will either be weighted toward the high probability location or be distributed equally across all locations. Thus, the strategies of probabilistic sampling by choice decisions and spatial attention appear to differ with regard to low-probability events. This distinction is somewhat surprising because similar brain mechanisms (e.g., pFC-mediated cognitive control) are thought to be important in both functions. Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between choice decisions and attentional selection within single trials to test for any strategic differences, then to determine whether that relationship is malleable to manipulations of catecholamine-modulated cognitive control with the drug modafinil. Our results demonstrate that spatial attention and choice decisions followed different strategies of probabilistic information selection on placebo, but that modafinil brought the pattern of spatial attention into alignment with that of predictive choices. Modafinil also produced earlier learning of the probability distribution. Together, these results suggest that enhancing cognitive control mechanisms (e.g., through prefrontal cortical function) leads spatial attention to follow choice decisions in selecting information according to rule-based expectations.
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26
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Fernandes HA, Zanin KA, Patti CL, Wuo-Silva R, Carvalho RC, Fernandes-Santos L, Bittencourt LRA, Tufik S, Frussa-Filho R. Inhibitory effects of modafinil on emotional memory in mice. Neuropharmacology 2012; 64:365-70. [PMID: 22771974 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil (MOD), a psychostimulant used to treat narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea, appears to promote a possible facilitatory effect on cognitive function. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the acute administration of MOD on the different steps of emotional memory formation and usage (acquisition, consolidation and retrieval) as well as the possible participation of the state-dependency phenomenon on the cognitive effects of this compound. Mice were acutely treated with 32, 64 or 128 mg/kg MOD before training or testing or immediately after training and were subjected to the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task. The results showed that although pre-training MOD administration did not exert any effects on learning, the doses of 32 or 64 mg/kg induced emotional memory deficits during testing. Still, the post-training acute administration of the higher doses of MOD (64 and 128 mg/kg) impaired associative memory consolidation. When the drug was administered pre-test, only the 32 mg/kg dose impaired the task retrieval. Importantly, the cognitive impairing effects induced by 32 mg/kg MOD were not related to the phenomenon of state-dependency. In all, our findings provide pre-clinical evidence of potential emotional memory amnesia induced by MOD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helaine A Fernandes
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Napoleão de Barros 925, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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27
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Winstanley CA. The utility of rat models of impulsivity in developing pharmacotherapies for impulse control disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 164:1301-21. [PMID: 21410459 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01323.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
High levels of impulsive behaviours are a clinically significant symptom in a range of psychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, pathological gambling and substance abuse. Although often measured using questionnaire assessments, levels of different types of impulsivity can also be determined using behavioural tests. Rodent analogues of these paradigms have been developed, and similar neural circuitry has been implicated in their performance in both humans and rats. In the current review, the methodology underlying the measurement of different aspects of impulsive action and choice are considered from the viewpoint of drug development, with a focus on the continuous performance task (CPT), stop-signal task (SST), go/no-go and delay-discounting paradigms. Current issues impeding translation between animal and human studies are identified, and comparisons drawn between the acute effects of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic compounds across species. Although the field could benefit from a more systematic determination of different pharmacological agents across paradigms, there are signs of strong concordance between the animal and human data. However, the type of impulsivity measured appears to play a significant role, with the SST and delay discounting providing more consistent effects for dopaminergic drugs, while the CPT and SST show better predictive validity so far for serotonergic and noradrenergic compounds. Based on the available data, it would appear that these impulsivity models could be used more widely to identify potential pharmacotherapies for impulse control disorders. Novel targets within the glutamatergic and serotonergic system are also suggested.
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Lynch G, Palmer LC, Gall CM. The likelihood of cognitive enhancement. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 99:116-29. [PMID: 21215768 PMCID: PMC3114293 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2010.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Revised: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Whether drugs that enhance cognition in healthy individuals will appear in the near future has become a topic of considerable interest. We address this possibility using a three variable system (psychological effect, neurobiological mechanism, and efficiency vs. capabilities) for classifying candidates. Ritalin and modafinil, two currently available compounds, operate on primary psychological states that in turn affect cognitive operations (attention and memory), but there is little evidence that these effects translate into improvements in complex cognitive processing. A second category of potential enhancers includes agents that improve memory encoding, generally without large changes in primary psychological states. Unfortunately, there is little information on how these compounds affect cognitive performance in standard psychological tests. Recent experiments have identified a number of sites at which memory drugs could, in principle, manipulate the cell biological systems underlying the learning-related long-term potentiation (LTP) effect; this may explain the remarkable diversity of memory promoting compounds. Indeed, many of these agents are known to have positive effects on LTP. A possible third category of enhancement drugs directed specifically at integrated cognitive operations is nearly empty. From a neurobiological perspective, two plausible candidate classes have emerged that both target the fast excitatory transmission responsible for communication within cortical networks. One acts on nicotinic receptors (alpha7 and alpha4) that regulate release of the neurotransmitter glutamate while the other ('ampakines') allosterically modulates the glutamate receptors mediating the post-synaptic response (EPSCs). Brain imaging in primates has shown that ampakines expand cortical networks engaged by a complex task; coupled with behavioral data, these findings provide evidence for the possibility of generating new cognitive capabilities. Finally, we suggest that continuing advances in behavioral sciences provide new opportunities for translational work, and that discussions of the social impact of cognitive enhancers have failed to consider the distinction between effects on efficiency vs. new capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine CA 92697-4291, USA.
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Wake-promoting agent modafinil worsened attentional performance following REM sleep deprivation in a young-adult rat model of 5-choice serial reaction time task. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 213:155-66. [PMID: 20865249 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Individuals who experience sleep loss may exhibit certain physiological abnormalities. Central stimulant drugs have been studied in sleep-loss conditions, and some of them might be therapeutically beneficial. Modafinil (diphenyl-methyl-sulfinyl-2-acetamide, MOD) has been increasingly employed for elevating alertness and vigilance in recent years, yet the underlying mechanism of actions for MOD is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES To examine the behavioral effect of MOD following rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMD) in rats. A five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) was employed to investigate animals' attentional performance and impulsive reactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats of different ages were trained to learn the 5-CSRTT. REMD with the water platform method was applied for 96 h. The impacts of REMD on 5-CSRTT in middle-age (32-weeks-old) and young-adult (12-week-old) rats were compared with baseline or a condition with shorter visual stimulus duration. RESULTS The results revealed that following REMD, young-adult but not middle-age rats were liable to be affected in their performances of the 5-CSRTT. In young-adult rats, while MOD had no contributions to the effect of REMD, it worsened rats' performance following REMD when the stimulus duration was shortened, as shown by the reduced number of correct responses and prolonged magazine latency. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aging might be a crucial factor for the physiological impact following REMD. MOD should be used cautiously, particularly, in conditions that require REM sleep.
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Liu YP, Tung CS, Chuang CH, Lo SM, Ku YC. Tail-pinch stress and REM sleep deprivation differentially affect sensorimotor gating function in modafinil-treated rats. Behav Brain Res 2010; 219:98-104. [PMID: 21167213 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a phenomenon in which a mild stimulus attenuates a cross-modality startle response to later intense stimulation. PPI is thought to index the central inhibitory mechanism through which behavioural responses are filtered. The present study compared the effects of two stress paradigms on the acoustic startle response (ASR) and on PPI in a rat model. The tail-pinch (TP) method produces an acute and immediate stressful condition, whereas rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (REMSD) leads to a more persistent and long-term stress. Our results demonstrated that in rats, TP stress reduced the size of the ASR, and REMSD impaired PPI. The wake-promoting agent modafinil (MOD) had no effect on PPI if given alone. However, MOD reduced the ASR and PPI under TP stress, whereas only PPI was reduced by MOD after 96 h of REMSD. These results suggest that distinct stress paradigms differentially mediated sensorimotor gating abilities in terms of either responsiveness to the stimulus or information-filtering capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yia-Ping Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defence Medical Centre, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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31
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Burgos H, Castillo A, Flores O, Puentes G, Morgan C, Gatica A, Cofré C, Hernández A, Laurido C, Constandil L. Effect of modafinil on learning performance and neocortical long-term potentiation in rats. Brain Res Bull 2010; 83:238-44. [PMID: 20800665 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2010] [Revised: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 08/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil is a novel wake-promoting agent whose effects on cognitive performance have begun to be addressed at both preclinical and clinical level. The present study was designed to investigate in rats the effects of chronic modafinil administration on cognitive performance by evaluating: (i) working and reference memories in an Olton 4×4 maze, and (ii) learning of a complex operant conditioning task in a Skinner box. In addition, the effect of modafinil on the ability of the rat frontal cortex to develop long-term potentiation (LTP) was also studied. Chronic modafinil did not significantly modify working memory errors but decreased long-term memory errors on the Olton 4×4 maze, meaning that the drug may have a favourable profile on performance of visuo-spatial tasks (typically, a hippocampus-dependent task) when chronically administered. On the other hand, chronic modafinil resulted in a marked decrease of successful responses in a complex operant conditioning learning, which means that repeated administration of the drug influences negatively problem-solving abilities when confronting the rat to a sequencing task (typically, a prefrontal cortex-dependent task). In addition, in vivo electrophysiology showed that modafinil resulted in impaired capacity of the rat prefrontal cortex to develop LTP following tetanization. It is concluded that modafinil can improve the performance of spatial tasks that depend almost exclusively on hippocampal functioning, but not the performance in tasks including a temporal factor where the prefrontal cortex plays an important role. The fact that modafinil together with preventing operant conditioning learning was also able to block LTP induction in the prefrontal cortex, suggests that the drug could interfere some critical component required for LTP can be developed, thereby altering neuroplastic capabilities of the prefrontal cortex.
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Moreira KM, Ferreira TL, Hipolide DC, Fornari RV, Tufik S, Oliveira MGM. Modafinil prevents inhibitory avoidance memory deficit induced by sleep deprivation in rats. Sleep 2010; 33:990-3. [PMID: 20614860 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/33.7.990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Evaluation of modafinil effects on the inhibitory avoidance task (IA). DESIGN Rats were trained on a multiple trial IA task after receiving modafinil or vehicle injections. In experiment 1 they were trained with a weak protocol under baseline condition and in experiment 2, with a stronger protocol under sleep-deprivation condition. RESULTS In experiment 1 modafinil improved rats' acquisition whereas the retention test remained unaffected. In Experiment 2 modafinil did not interfere with training performance, but the lower dose prevented the retention impairment in sleep-deprived animals. CONCLUSIONS Modafinil is able to improve acquisition in normal rats and reverse the long-term memory impairment induced by sleep-deprivation.
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Tsanov M, Lyons DG, Barlow S, González Reyes RE, O’Mara SM. The psychostimulant modafinil facilitates water maze performance and augments synaptic potentiation in dentate gyrus. Neuropharmacology 2010; 59:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Reichel CM, See RE. Modafinil effects on reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in a rat model of relapse. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 210:337-46. [PMID: 20352413 PMCID: PMC3076899 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1828-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Modafinil (Provigil) is a wake-promoting drug characterized by cognitive enhancing abilities. Recent clinical data have supported the use of modafinil for treatment of chronic psychostimulant addiction and relapse prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used an intravenous methamphetamine (meth) self-administration procedure to assess the dose-dependent effects of modafinil on reinstatement following abstinence and after extinction on conditioned-cue and meth-primed reinstatement of meth seeking. RESULTS Modafinil attenuated active lever responding in multiple reinstatement conditions-context-induced, conditioned cue, and meth prime. The most pronounced and consistent effect was on meth-primed reinstatement, and modafinil did not reinstate meth seeking when tested alone. DISCUSSION These findings support clinical findings in humans that modafinil may be an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention of relapse in abstinent meth users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Marson L, Yu G, Farber NM. The Effects of Oral Administration of D-Modafinil on Male Rat Ejaculatory Behavior. J Sex Med 2010; 7:70-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01509.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Age-dependent effects of modafinil on acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition in rats. Behav Brain Res 2009; 208:118-23. [PMID: 19914296 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2009] [Revised: 11/04/2009] [Accepted: 11/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil is a psychostimulant approved for treating excessive sleepiness in adults; off-label uses (e.g., treatment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, ADHD and age-related dementias) are currently being explored. The effects and mechanisms of action of modafinil have not been fully established. In the present study, the effects of modafinil were examined in young adult (7-month-old) and middle-aged (21-22-month-old) rats, using the acoustic startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI). In the control condition, middle-aged rats showed lower activity levels, significantly lower ASR amplitudes and significantly longer ASR latencies compared to young adult rats. The effects of modafinil differed by age: activity levels and ASR amplitudes were significantly increased in middle-aged rats, whereas activity levels were lower and ASR amplitude was significantly decreased in young adult rats. Modafinil did not significantly alter PPI or startle latencies relative to the control condition. Amphetamine, used as a positive control, significantly decreased ASR amplitude in young adult rats and significantly impaired PPI for both age groups. Amphetamine-induced PPI impairment was greater for young adult rats (34% reduction in ASR amplitude) than for middle-aged rats (24% reduction). The results offer new insights into the effects of modafinil and its mechanism of action, and are consistent with the idea that modafinil enhances vigilance and cognitive functioning in individuals with deficits but not in normal, healthy individuals.
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Regenthal R, Koch H, Köhler C, Preiss R, Krügel U. Depression-like deficits in rats improved by subchronic modafinil. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2009; 204:627-39. [PMID: 19255746 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-009-1493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2008] [Accepted: 02/08/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Attentional and sensorimotor gating deficits in human depression are observed as residual symptoms irrespective of antidepressant treatment. Clinical studies point to a benefit of modafinil in depression. No data are available on modafinil effects in depression-like animal models. OBJECTIVES We investigated effects of modafinil on attention and sensorimotor gating after subchronic treatment during a restraint stress protocol inducing depression-like changes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Effects of modafinil were investigated (a) acutely in the forced swim test (FST) 1 h after administration of drug or placebo and (b) in a further experiment on cognition-related behaviour in rats after induction of depression-like changes using a restraint stress protocol for 15 days. Beginning from day 10, one restrained (R) and one non-restrained (NR) group were treated with modafinil (R-M and NR-M groups) and two groups with placebo (R-P and NR-P groups). At the end of protocol, behavioural testing was performed under conditions of nearly drug-free plasma. Depression-like behaviour was examined in the FST. Selective attention and sensorimotor gating were investigated as social novelty discrimination (SND) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle response. RESULTS Restraint led to reduced body weight, decreased mobility in the FST and impaired cognitive capabilities in the SND and the PPI. Subchronic modafinil treatment reversed restraint-induced deficits in the FST, the SND and PPI, whereas it was without effect on body weight. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of impaired attentional and information-processing functions under depression-like conditions suggests a benefit of modafinil in treatment of cognitive residual symptoms in affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Regenthal
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Härtelstrasse 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
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Shuman T, Wood SC, Anagnostaras SG. Modafinil and memory: effects of modafinil on Morris water maze learning and Pavlovian fear conditioning. Behav Neurosci 2009; 123:257-66. [PMID: 19331449 DOI: 10.1037/a0014366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil has been shown to promote wakefulness and some studies suggest the drug can improve cognitive function. Because of many similarities, the mechanism of action may be comparable to classical psychostimulants, although the exact mechanisms of modafinil's actions in wakefulness and cognitive enhancement are unknown. The current study aims to further examine the effects of modafinil as a cognitive enhancer on hippocampus-dependent memory in mice. A high dose of modafinil (75 mg/kg ip) given before training improved acquisition on a Morris water maze. When given only before testing, modafinil did not affect water maze performance. We also examined modafinil (0.075 to 75 mg/kg) on Pavlovian fear conditioning. A low dose of pretraining modafinil (0.75 mg/kg) enhanced memory of contextual fear conditioning (tested off-drug 1 week later) whereas a high dose (75 mg/kg) disrupted memory. Pretraining modafinil did not affect cued conditioning at any dose tested, and immediate posttraining modafinil had no effect on either cued or contextual fear. These results suggest that modafinil's effects of memory are more selective than amphetamine or cocaine and specific to hippocampus-dependent memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Shuman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0109, USA.
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Abstract
Modafinil (2-[(Diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide, Provigil) is an FDA-approved medication with wake-promoting properties. Pre-clinical studies of modafinil suggest a complex profile of neurochemical and behavioral effects, distinct from those of amphetamine. In addition, modafinil shows initial promise for a variety of off-label indications in psychiatry, including treatment-resistant depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction may be a particularly important emerging treatment target for modafinil, across these and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We aimed to comprehensively review the empirical literature on neurochemical actions of modafinil, and effects on cognition in animal models, healthy adult humans, and clinical populations. We searched PubMed with the search term 'modafinil' and reviewed all English-language articles for neurochemical, neurophysiological, cognitive, or information-processing experimental measures. We additionally summarized the pharmacokinetic profile of modafinil and clinical efficacy in psychiatric patients. Modafinil exhibits robust effects on catecholamines, serotonin, glutamate, gamma amino-butyric acid, orexin, and histamine systems in the brain. Many of these effects may be secondary to catecholamine effects, with some selectivity for cortical over subcortical sites of action. In addition, modafinil (at well-tolerated doses) improves function in several cognitive domains, including working memory and episodic memory, and other processes dependent on prefrontal cortex and cognitive control. These effects are observed in rodents, healthy adults, and across several psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, modafinil appears to be well-tolerated, with a low rate of adverse events and a low liability to abuse. Modafinil has a number of neurochemical actions in the brain, which may be related to primary effects on catecholaminergic systems. These effects are in general advantageous for cognitive processes. Overall, modafinil is an excellent candidate agent for remediation of cognitive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Minzenberg
- Imaging Research Center, Davis School of Medicine, UC-Davis Health System, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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