Psychopharmacology

, Volume 114, Issue 4, pp 597–600

The stimulant effect of modafinil on wakefulness is not associated with an increase in anxiety in mice

A comparison with dexamphetamine
  • Ph. Simon
  • Ch. Panissaud
  • J. Costentin
Original Investigations

DOI: 10.1007/BF02244990

Cite this article as:
Simon, P., Panissaud, C. & Costentin, J. Psychopharmacology (1994) 114: 597. doi:10.1007/BF02244990

Abstract

Modafinil is a new drug used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Its administration in mice induced a dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity. The effects of modafinil were compared with those of dexamphetamine on three tests that assessed the anxiety level (drugs were used at doses which induced a roughly similar stimulation of locomotor activity). Dexamphetamine increased the latency of exploration of a white compartment, increased thigmotaxis in an open-field and decreased the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze. None of these responses was significantly modified by modafinil. We conclude that modafinil does not share the anxiogenic effects of dexamphetamine.

Key words

AnxietyModafinilDexamphetamineBlack/white compartmentsElevated maze-plusThigmotaxisWakefulness

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ph. Simon
    • 1
  • Ch. Panissaud
    • 1
  • J. Costentin
    • 1
  1. 1.Unité de Neuropsychopharmacologie expérimentale, U.R.A. 1170 du C.N.R.S.Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie de RouenSaint Etienne du RouvrayFrance