Preclinical Models of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurobiology, Drug Discovery, and Beyond
Deirdre M McCarthy1, Thomas J Spencer2, Pradeep G Bhide1
1Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
Objective:
We offer an overview of ADHD research using mouse models of nicotine exposure.
Method:
Nicotine exposure of C57BL/6 or Swiss Webster mice occurred during prenatal period only or during the prenatal and the pre-weaning periods. Behavioral, neuroanatomical and neurotransmitter assays were used to investigate neurobiological mechanisms of ADHD and discover candidate ADHD medications.
Results:
Our studies show that norbinaltorphimine, a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist is a candidate novel non-stimulant ADHD treatment and that a combination of methylphenidate and naltrexone has abuse deterrent potential with therapeutic benefits for ADHD. Other studies showed transgenerational transmission of ADHD-associated behavioral traits and demonstrated that interactions between untreated ADHD and repeated mild traumatic brain injury produced behavioral traits not associated with either condition alone.
Conclusion:
Preclinical models contribute to novel insights into ADHD neurobiology and are valuable tools for drug discovery and translation to benefit humans with ADHD.
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