title: Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer of spatial working memory in rats.
abstract: The present experiment examined the influence of modafinil on working memory in rats. Control and experimental rats were placed in cages equipped with a running wheel. The study was divided into three periods: 1) habituation, 2) experimental - in which modafinil was orally administered to experimental animals, and 3) withdrawal. Spatial working memory was tested utilizing the Morris Water Maze. Animals were given two trials in each session: 1) a sample trial in which they discovered the location of the platform and 2) a test trial in which they recalled the location of the platform. Platform placement and starting place location of the rats were changed every session. Performance of control animals during sample trials and test trials showed no difference in time to reach the platform; whereas, experimental animals demonstrated faster attainment of the goal during the test trial. In withdrawal, there was no difference in time between the two trials for experimental animals. Wheel running activity of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group during the experimental period. This study supports the hypothesis that modafinil has a positive effect on working memory in rats. It is suggested that benefits of modafinil can extend beyond its prescribed usage; however, these advantages of modafinil use should be addressed in discussions related to ethical concerns associated with neuroenhancers.
authors: Neuroscience Program, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118, USA. Electronic address: hmurphy@jcu.edu.
authors: Helen M
authors: HM
authors: Murphy
authors: Neuroscience Program, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118, USA.
authors: Dylan
authors: D
authors: Ekstrand
authors: Neuroscience Program, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118, USA.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Tarchick
authors: Neuroscience Program, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118, USA.
authors: Cyrilla H
authors: CH
authors: Wideman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077408:Modafinil; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011897:Random Allocation; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D000077408:Modafinil
keywords: Morris Water Maze; Psychostimulant; Rat; Spatial learning; Working memory