Aripiprazole cognitive effects on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in experimental mouse model

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of children's neurodevelopmental psychological disorders with ideal therapy obscure. Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication with a unique mechanism of action that enhances dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex in turn it might executive function in ADHD patients. This study aimed to clarify the impact of aripiprazole on ADHD using a socially isolated (SI) mice model. Methods: In the current study we used early-life SI mice as models for ADHD and tested three different doses of aripiprazole on attention set-shifting performance. The socially Isolated mice are known to have impairment in attentional set-shifting. Socially housed and isolated reared mice across different doses of aripiprazole for each stage were cross-matched for comparison. Results: Socially isolated mice showed selective great deficits in interdimen¬sional discriminations and extradimensional discriminations. Aripiprazole at 3 and 6mg/kg did greatly mitigate the cognition deficits in comparison with placebo and 1 mg/kg of aripiprazole. Conclusion: The current study results emphasise the positive effect of aripiprazole on cognition. Aripiprazole has the potential to be a treatment for ADHD with a psychostimulatory effect.