Action of modafinil--increased motivation via the dopamine transporter inhibition and D1 receptors?
BACKGROUND
Modafinil is prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy. It has been postulated that modafinil might treat cognitive disruption in neuropsychiatric disorders. The mechanisms underlying such modafinil-induced improvements in performance have yet to be delineated however. Recent evidence suggests that modafinil might block the dopamine transporter (DAT) and that the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) might contribute to modafinil effects.


METHODS
Dopamine D1R wildtype (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice received vehicle, modafinil, or the selective DAT blocker GBR12909 in a progressive ratio breakpoint study.


RESULTS
Both modafinil and GBR12909 increased motivation in the task as measured by an increase in breakpoint in WT and HT mice. These drug-induced increases in motivation were reduced in dopamine D1R HT mice relative to their WT littermates. The D1R KO mice did not respond in the task.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the hypothesis that modafinil increases motivation. Moreover, given the similarity of effects with GBR12909, the data corroborate evidence that the behavioral effects of modafinil might be due to DAT inhibition. Furthermore, the dopamine D1R might play a downstream role in mediating modafinil-induced increases in motivation. Thus, studies reporting cognition-enhancing effects of modafinil might have been influenced by its ability to increase motivation.
Young
Jared W
JW
Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA. jaredyoung@ucsd.edu
Geyer
Mark A
MA
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D000077408:Modafinil; D009042:Motivation; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D010879:Piperazines; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; C043425:vanoxerine; D000077408:Modafinil