title: A novel method for oral stimulant administration in the neonate rat and similar species.
abstract: Sixty male and female Long-Evans hooded rats were administered 1, 2, or 5mg/kg methylphenidate (MPH) suspended in apple juice on postnatal day (P)15 or P40 using a novel, non-invasive oral administration technique. Plasma was collected 15 min after ingestion and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to confirm appropriate concentrations. HPLC-MS plasma analysis showed levels comparable to previous gavage studies using MPH. We have used this method successfully in subsequent behavioral studies as well. Since therapeutic MPH in humans is typically administered orally, oral dosing methods that have been verified in the rodent model are of value. We recommend employment of this alternative oral dosing technique as it is minimally invasive, can be used anytime during postnatal development, and does not depend upon voluntary consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, MS 3F5, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, United States. twheele2@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Tracey L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Eppolito
authors.forename: Laura N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Huff
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; D001628:Beverages; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D027845:Malus; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013566:Sympathomimetics; D008774:Methylphenidate