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Differential effects of modafinil and methylphenidate on stop-signal reaction time task performance in the rat, and interactions with the dopamine receptor antagonist cis-flupenthixol

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Abstract

Rationale

The stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task measures inhibition of a response that has already been initiated, i.e. the ability to stop. ‘Impulsive’ human subjects, e.g. with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have longer SSRTs. Both SSRT and go-trial reaction time (GoRT) may be sensitive to drugs such as d-amphetamine, methylphenidate and modafinil, both in normal subjects and those with ADHD.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of modafinil (3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and methylphenidate (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg) on SSRT task performance in the rat. To investigate the possible contribution of dopamine receptors in the action of these drugs using the mixed D1/D2 dopamine receptor antagonist cis-flupenthixol.

Results

Modafinil significantly decreased SSRT with little effect on GoRT but only in rats with slow baseline SSRTs. Fast SSRTs were not changed by modafinil. Methylphenidate decreased GoRTs of all rats. However, methylphenidate had baseline-dependent effects on SSRT, decreasing SSRT in slow responders but increasing SSRT in fast responders. Cis-flupenthixol (0.01, 0.04 and 0.125 mg/kg) had no effects on SSRT but increased GoRT at higher doses. At the lowest dose (0.01 mg/kg), cis-flupenthixol failed to disrupt the SSRT-decreasing effects of either modafinil or methylphenidate, whereas at 0.04 mg/kg, the cis-flupenthixol-dependent increase in GoRT was antagonised by methylphenidate but not by modafinil.

Conclusions

This evidence supports a hypothesis that stop and go processes are under control of distinct neurochemical mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Wellcome Trust Program Grant awarded to TWR, B. J. Everitt, A. C. Roberts and B. J. Sahakian, and completed within the University of Cambridge Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, supported by a joint award from Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. All procedures comply with the current laws of the UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK

    Dawn M. Eagle, Miles R. A. Tufft, Hannah L. Goodchild & Trevor W. Robbins

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  1. Dawn M. Eagle
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  2. Miles R. A. Tufft
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  3. Hannah L. Goodchild
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  4. Trevor W. Robbins
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Correspondence to Dawn M. Eagle.

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Eagle, D.M., Tufft, M.R.A., Goodchild, H.L. et al. Differential effects of modafinil and methylphenidate on stop-signal reaction time task performance in the rat, and interactions with the dopamine receptor antagonist cis-flupenthixol. Psychopharmacology 192, 193–206 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-0701-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-0701-7

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