title: Gamma aminobutyric acid transporter subtype 1 gene knockout mice: a new model for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by hyperactivity, impaired sustained attention, impulsivity, and is usually accompanied by varying degrees of learning difficulties and lack of motor coordination. However, the pathophysiology and etiology of ADHD remain inconclusive so far. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the gamma aminobutyric acid transporter subtype 1 (GAT1) gene knockout (ko) mouse (gat1-/-) is hyperactive and exhibited impaired memory performance in the Morris water maze. In the current study, we found that the gat1-/- mice showed low levels of attentional focusing and increased impulsivity. In addition, the gat1-/- mice displayed ataxia characterized by defects in motor coordination and balance skills. The hyperactivity in the ko mice was reduced by both methylphenidate and amphetamine. Collectively, these results suggest that GAT1 ko mouse is a new animal model for ADHD studying and GAT1 may be a new target to treat ADHD.
authors: School of Life Sciences and Technology, TongJi University, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Yang
authors: Guoqiang
authors: G
authors: Cai
authors: Youqing
authors: Y
authors: Cai
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Fei
authors: Guoxiang
authors: G
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D050485:GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout
chemical_list: D050485:GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: ADHD; GAT1; gene knockout mice; learning problems; motor coordination