[Effect of modafinil on electroretinograms of Lycosa tarentula in relation visual circadian rhythm (Araneae,...

Injections of modafinil, a drug able to induce in vertebrates an awakening effect via an effective central alpha 1-adrenergic tone, induce modifications of the amplitude and latency of electroretinograms (ERGs) in the spider Lycosa tarentula, during dark adaptation. Results of experiments are different from one eye type to another as circadian activity rhythms of the retinae also differ. Modafinil induces a decrease of diurnal amplitudes and has no effect on nocturnal amplitudes of ERGs of anterior-lateral eyes; in the case of posterior-median eyes, the amplitudes are increased in daytime as well as at night. Prazosin, antagonist of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, injected after modafinil, induces a decrease of the amplitudes of ERGs in the same eyes. These results are discussed in relation to the visual activity of this species, both diurnal and nocturnal. The concepts of waking state versus sleep are not precisely characterized in arachnids, so that the effects of modafinil on L. tarentula may not be considered like those described in vertebrates.