Enhancement and impairment of cognitive behaviour in Morris water maze test by methylphenidate to rats

Methylphenidate (MPD), a psycho-stimulant is a prescription medicine for the treatment of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug is also being increasingly used by general population for enhancing cognition. Only few preclinical studies have been carried out on the effects of MPD on cognition and these studies show either an enhancement or impairment of memory following the administration of MPD. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of different doses of methylphenidate on acquisition and retention of memory in Morris water-maze test. Twenty four male Albino Wistar rats (weighing 180-220gm) were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) Control (2) 0.5mg/kg (3) 2.5mg/kg (4) 5 mg/kg methylphenidate. Animals received drug or water orally before training phase. Memory acquisition was monitored 2hrs post drug administration while memory retention was determined next day. It, was found that the clinically relevant doses of methylphenidate (0.5mg/kg and 2.5mg/kg). improved memory acquisition and its retention but higher dose (5mg/kg) impaired both. We suggest that MPD-induced increase of catecholamine neurotransmission may have a role in the improvement of water maze performance while agonist activity of the drug for 5HT-1A receptor in the impaired performance at high doses. Food intake and body weight changes were not affected by MPD administration due to short-term administration of the drug. Results may help in improving pharmaco-therapeutic use of MPD for ADHD.