Methylphenidate alters flash-evoked potentials, body temperature, and behavior in Long-Evans rats

摘要

This experiment examined the effects of methylphenidate hydrochloride on flash-evoked potentials (FEPs) recorded from the visual cortex (VC) and superior colliculus (SC) of chronically implanted male Long-Evans rats, as well as on body temperature and open field behavior. FEPs were recorded at 10,20 and 40 min following in-traperitoneal injections of saline, and of doses of 0.7,2.9, and 11.6 mg/kg methylphenidate on separate days. The 0.7 mg/kg dose did not produce significant effects. In the VC, following administration of the 11.6 mg/kg dose of methylphenidate the amplitude of components P_(83), N_(146), and P_(232) decreased, the amplitude of component N_(64) briefly increased and components P_(23), N_(30), N_(40), and P_(48) were unchanged in amplitude. In the SC, component P29 was unaffected, while components P_(38) and N_(51) were reduced in amplitude by the 11.6 mg/kg dose of methylphenidate.