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.
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Simon, P., Panissaud, C. & Costentin, J. The stimulant effect of modafinil on wakefulness is not associated with an increase in anxiety in mice. Psychopharmacology 114, 597–600 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244990
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244990