US EPA

2159072 

Journal Article 

Review 

Animal models of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 

Davids, E; Zhang, KH; Tarazi, FI; Baldessarini, RJ 

2003 

Yes 

Brain Research Reviews
ISSN: 0165-0173 

42 

1 

1-21 

English 

12668288 

10.1016/S0165-0173(02)00274-6 

WOS:000182526300001 

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves clinically heterogeneous dysfunctions of sustained attention, with behavioral overactivity and impulsivity, of juvenile onset. Experimental models, in addition to mimicking syndromal features, should resemble the clinical condition in pathophysiology, and predict potential new treatments. One of the most extensively evaluated animal models of ADHD is the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Other models include additional genetic variants (dopamine transporter gene knock-out mouse, coloboma mouse, Naples hyperexcitable rat, acallosal mouse, hyposexual rat, and population-extreme rodents), neonatal lesioning of dopamine neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine, and exposure to other neurotoxins or hippocampal irradiation. None is fully comparable to clinical ADHD. The pathophysiology involved varies, including both deficient and excessive dopaminergic functioning, and probable involvement of other monoamine neurotransmitters. Improved models as well as further testing of their ability to predict treatment responses are required. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. 

attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder; behavior; dopamine; hyperactivity; norepinephrine; serotonin; stimulants