Methylphenidate increases cGMP levels in rat brain

Abstract

Objective: Methylphenidate (MPH) is commonly and effectively used to treat children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, MPH still poses a number of questions on which mechanisms of effect it has on the brain. The present study addresses the question of whether MPH induces cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMPI in rat brain. Methods: MPH at a dose of lOmg /kg p.o. was administered to rats daily for 8 weeks, whereas control rats were given distilled water. The level of cGMP was measured in total brains of the rats. Results: Brain cGMP levels were higher in the study group when compared with the control group (p=0.004). Conclusions: Our results suggested that the long term MPH administration might increase cGMP activity in rat brain.