Impairment of single-trial memory formation by oral methylphenidate in the rat.

Article Details

Citation

Chuhan YS, Taukulis HK

Impairment of single-trial memory formation by oral methylphenidate in the rat.

Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2006 Mar;85(2):125-31. Epub 2005 Oct 24.

PubMed ID
16246598 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

High synaptic concentrations of dopamine and/or norepinephrine can impair the working memory function of the prefrontal cortex and impede attention and learning. Methylphenidate, a dopamine and norepinephrine transporter blocker known to facilitate these cognitive processes at low doses, was hypothesized to interfere with memory storage at doses that may raise concentrations of these neurotransmitters to systemically disruptive levels. In the present experiments, a dose of 10.0mg/kg of this drug was administered to female and male Long-Evans rats using a novel oral administration procedure designed to model the normal mode of delivery to humans. It was found to interfere with single-trial memory acquisition in a delayed object recognition test, a spontaneous learning task that involves no appetitive or aversive motivator. The time that the rats spent in overt exploration of the to-be-remembered objects during the acquisition trial was not affected, suggesting that the drug may have impaired processes of memory formation independently of interference with attention.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
DexmethylphenidateSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MethylphenidateSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Unknown
Inhibitor
Details