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Brief and extended abstinence from chronic oral methylphenidate treatment produces reversible behavioral and

Leanna Kalinowski1,2, Carly Connor1, Rathini Somanesan1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Developmental Psychobiology
|August 29, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Intermittent methylphenidate (MP) use in rats caused physiological and behavioral changes. Most effects reversed after prolonged abstinence, but weight loss and reduced anxiety persisted.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Methylphenidate (MP) is a psychostimulant for ADHD, also misused by healthy individuals.
  • Intermittent drug use patterns are common, especially among students.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological and behavioral effects of chronic oral MP with intermittent abstinence in rats.
  • To determine if MP's effects persist after prolonged abstinence.

Main Methods:

  • Rats received daily oral methylphenidate (low or high dose) or water for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of abstinence, repeated 3 times.
  • A final 5-week abstinence period followed the treatment cycles.
  • Evaluated body weight, food intake, locomotor activity, and anxiety/depressive-like behaviors.

Main Results:

  • High-dose MP decreased body weight, food intake, and anxiety/depressive behaviors, while increasing locomotor activity during treatment.
  • MP's effect on locomotor activity diminished during intermittent abstinence periods.
  • Most MP effects normalized after prolonged abstinence, except for persistent weight loss and anxiolytic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Intermittent methylphenidate exposure leads to significant physiological and behavioral adaptations in rats.
  • While most effects are reversible, some, like weight loss and anxiolysis, may persist after extended abstinence.
Keywords:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorderanxietymethylphenidatepsychostimulantritalin

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