Methylphenidate exerts dose-dependent effects on glutamate receptors and behaviors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methylphenidate (MPH), a psychostimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, produces the effects of increasing alertness and improving attention. However, misuse of MPH has been associated with an increased risk of aggression and psychosis. We sought to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the complex actions of MPH.

Methods

Adolescent (4-week-old) rats were given one injection of MPH at different doses. The impact of MPH on glutamatergic signaling in pyramidal neurons of prefrontal cortex was measured. Behavioral changes induced by MPH were also examined in parallel.

Results

Administration of low-dose (.5 mg/kg) MPH selectively potentiated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPS

SUBMITTER: Cheng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4194277 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature