Effects of modafinil and R-modafinil on brain stimulation reward thresholds: implications for their use in the treatment of psychostimulant dependence.
BACKGROUND
Modafinil and its enantiomer R-modafinil are approved for the treatment of various sleep disorders, and may also be efficacious in the treatment of psychostimulant abuse. However, the ability of modafinil and R-modafinil to alter brain reward function has not yet been assessed.


OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effects of modafinil and R-modafinil on brain reward function using the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to respond for ICSS using current-intensity threshold determination procedures. Changes in ICSS thresholds were then assessed following administration of modafinil and R-modafinil (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg), or cocaine (2.5 - 20 mg/kg) as a positive control.


RESULTS
ICSS thresholds were reduced by modafinil at the 150 mg/kg dose, as well as by cocaine at the 10 and 20 mg/kg doses. R-modafinil only produced non-significant trends towards reducing ICSS thresholds.


CONCLUSIONS
Modafinil and R-modafinil have limited effects on brain reward function in otherwise drug-naïve subjects. Additional assessments of these effects in the context of psychostimulant dependence are needed.
Arizona State University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Area, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Brian T
BT
Burrows
Arizona State University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Area, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Lucas R
LR
Watterson
Arizona State University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Area, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Meagan A
MA
Johnson
Arizona State University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Area, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Tempe, AZ, USA.
M Foster
MF
Olive
R-modafinil; abuse liability; cocaine; intracranial self-stimulation; modafinil; psychostimulant