title: Differential effects of methylphenidate on reticular formation and thalamic neuronal activity.
abstract: Intravenous administration of methylphenidate (1 or 2 mg/kg) markedly attenuated the unit discharge rate in the mesencephalic reticular formation of rats and cats. Concurrently this drug enhanced the neural activity in the primary sensory nuclei of the thalamus. The differential effect of methylphenidate on these two neural systems suggest a possible mechanism by which it may improve attentive processes in hyperkinesis.
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D002415:Cats; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate