The Nagase Analbuminemic Rats as an animal model of AD/HD

Abstract

Although studies of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder(AD/ HD)animal models are in progress, currently proposed models remain incomplete. Therefore, new animal models are needed to address these limitations. In this study, we examined whether Nagase Analubuminemic Rats(NAR), which have no remarkable physiological abnormalities, could be a suitable animal model of AD/ HD. We evaluated hyperactivity(open field travel distance), impulsiveness(time spent in open arm of an elevated minus maze), and attention(spontaneous alternation using a Y-maze)of a wild-type of NAR in comparison with the control Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat. Results showed that NAR were significantly more hyperactive(p < 0.001)and had higher impulsiveness(p < 0.001), and attention deficit(p < 0. 05)than SD rats. In addition, concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in the prefrontal cortex of NARs were significantly decreased compared with those in SD rats. Furthermore, the concentration of 5-HT in the NARs was lower compared with that in SD rats, in the cerebellum. These results suggest that the NAR become a reliable animal model for behavioral and neurochemical phenotypes of AD/ HD.