Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a plausible mouse model?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disorder, highly prevalent in children and characterized by three main components: inattention, lack of inhibitory control and hyperactivity. Epidemiological evidence reveals that ADHD is associated with nicotine exposure, mostly, with prenatal cigarette smoking. Mice deleted for the beta2-subunit gene of the neuronal nicotinic receptor are proposed as a simple and reliable animal model for ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
Nicotinic agonists targeting the alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors alleviate ADHD symptoms and may possibly contribute to an efficient therapy of ADHD children.
Granon
Sylvie
S
URA CNRS Récepteur et Cognition, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. granon@pasteur.fr
Changeux
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal