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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
The 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task: A Task of Attention and Impulse Control for Rodents
Published on: August 10, 2014
Effects of amphetamine and methylphenidate on attentional performance and impulsivity in the mouse 5-Choice Serial
Maitane Caballero-Puntiverio1, Ciarán Martin Fitzpatrick1, David Pd Woldbye2
11 Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background:
Few studies have investigated the effects of conventional attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication in the mouse 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), and rat studies have yielded inconsistent results.
Objective:
We aimed to examine the effects of acute methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) treatment in the mouse 5-CSRTT.
Methods:
Trained male C57Bl/6J mice were tested in a variable stimulus duration schedule. Effects of AMPH (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) and MPH (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) on discriminative accuracy, omissions, and premature responses were assessed. Saline treatment data determined high- and low-attentive (LA), and high- and low-impulsive (LI) subgroups according to the upper and lower 30th percentiles, respectively.
Results:
In the LA subgroup accuracy was improved by 0.5 mg/kg AMPH and 2 mg/kg MPH, while no effect was found in the high-attentive (HA) subgroup. Premature responses were increased by 1 mg/kg AMPH and 0.5 mg/kg MPH for all animals, and by 1 mg/kg AMPH for the LI subgroup.
Conclusions:
The use of variable stimulus duration, along with the division into high- and LA, and high-and LI subgroups, may improve the sensitivity of the 5-CSRTT when investigating drug effects on attention and impulsivity.
Insights
This study examined how methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) affect attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in mice using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). Results showed these ADHD medications improved accuracy in low-attentive mice but increased impulsivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Limited research exists on conventional attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication effects in the mouse 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT).
- Previous rat studies on ADHD medications in the 5-CSRTT have produced inconsistent findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) on performance in the mouse 5-CSRTT.
- To assess the impact of these medications on attention and impulsivity in a rodent model.
Main Methods:
- Male C57Bl/6J mice were trained on a 5-CSRTT with a variable stimulus duration schedule.
- Effects of varying doses of AMPH (0.25-1 mg/kg) and MPH (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) were evaluated for accuracy, omissions, and premature responses.
- Mice were categorized into high/low attentive (HA/LA) and high/low impulsive (HI/LI) subgroups based on saline performance.
Main Results:
- Methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) improved discriminative accuracy in the low-attentive (LA) subgroup.
- No significant accuracy improvements were observed in the high-attentive (HA) subgroup.
- Both AMPH and MPH increased premature responses across all mice, with a notable increase in the low-impulsive (LI) subgroup for AMPH.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing a variable stimulus duration and subgrouping (high/low attentive/impulsive) enhances the 5-CSRTT's sensitivity for detecting drug effects on attention and impulsivity.
- This refined methodology provides a more nuanced understanding of stimulant medication actions in preclinical models of ADHD.
