A Simple Behavioral Paradigm to Measure Impulsive Behavior in an Animal Model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

• Published in: Biomolecules & therapeutics 2012, 20(1), , pp.124-131
• Main Authors: Pitna Kim, 신찬영, Inha Choi, Ike Campomayor dela Pena, 김희진, 권경자, Jin Hee Park, 한설희, 류종훈, 정재훈
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 약학
• ISSN: 1976-9148; 2005-4483

Impulsiveness is an important component of many psychiatric disorders including Attention-defi cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although the neurobiological basis of ADHD is unresolved, behavioral tests in animal models have become indispensable tools for improving our understanding of this disorder. In the punishment/extinction paradigm, impulsivity is shown by subjects that persevere with responding despite punishment or unrewarded responses. Exploiting this principle, we developed a new behavioral test that would evaluate impulsivity in the most validated animal model of ADHD of the Spontaneously Hypertensive rat (SHR) as compared with the normotensive “control” strain, the Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY). In this paradigm we call the Electro-Foot Shock aversive water Drinking test (EFSDT), water-deprived rats should pass over an electrifi ed quadrant of the EFSDT apparatus to drink water. We reasoned that impulsive animals show increased frequency to drink water even with the presentation of an aversive consequence (electro-shock). Through this assay, we showed that the SHR was more impulsive than the WKY as it demonstrated more “drinking attempts” and drinking frequency. Methylphenidate, the most widely used ADHD medication, signifi cantly reduced drinking frequency of both SHR and WKY in the EFSDT. Thus, the present assay may be considered as another behavioral tool to measure impulsivity in animal disease models, especially in the context of ADHD. KCI Citation Count: 19