Modafinil enhances extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and increases wakefulness in rats
by
Murillo-Rodriguez E, Haro R, Palomero-Rivero M, Millan-Aldaco D, Drucker-Colin R.
Depto de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiologia Celular,
Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Interior,
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, C.P.
04510, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
Behav Brain Res. 2006 Nov 10;

ABSTRACT

Modafinil (MOD) is a wakefulness-promoting drug that improves the alertness levels in narcolepsy; however, the molecular mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. We found that after a single icv injection of MOD (10mug/5mul) the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and l-DOPA collected from the nucleus accumbens were increased and decreased, respectively. Separately, the icv administration of MOD (10mug/5mul) to rats enhanced wakefulness (W) whereas diminished sleep during 4h. Lastly, the alertness induced by MOD was partially antagonized by the sleep-inducing endocannabinoid anandamide (ANA). We conclude that MOD enhances the extracellular levels of DA, promotes W and its effects on sleep are partially blocked by ANA.

Dopamine
Narcolepsy
Anandamide
Modafinil: review
Modafinil: structure
Modafinil and serotonin
Modafinil and the marmoset
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Modafinil as an antidepressant
Modafinil versus amphetamine
Modafinil versus methylphenidate
Modafinil, amphetamine and sleep

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