The stimulant effect of modafinil on wakefulness is not associated with an increase in anxiety in mice. A comparison with dexamphetamine.
Modafinil is a new drug used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Its administration in mice induced a dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity. The effects of modafinil were compared with those of dexamphetamine on three tests that assessed the anxiety level (drugs were used at doses which induced a roughly similar stimulation of locomotor activity). Dexamphetamine increased the latency of exploration of a white compartment, increased thigmotaxis in an open-field and decreased the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze. None of these responses was significantly modified by modafinil. We conclude that modafinil does not share the anxiogenic effects of dexamphetamine.
Unité de Neuropsychopharmacologie expérimentale, U.R.A. 1170 du C.N.R.S., Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie de Rouen, Saint Etienne du Rouvray, France.
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Simon
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Panissaud
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Costentin
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D000077408:Modafinil; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil; D003913:Dextroamphetamine