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.
Simon
P
P
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.
Panissaud
C
C
Costentin
J
J
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