Effects of chronic and acute methylphenidate hydrochloride (ritalin) administration on locomotor activity, ultrasonic vocalizations, and neuromotor development in 3- to 11-day-old CD-1 mouse pups

The present study examined the effects of chronic and acute treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) on isolation‐induced ultrasonic vocalizations, spontaneous locomotor activity, and neuromotor coordination in 3‐ to 11‐day‐old CD‐1 mouse pups. In Experiment 1, 3‐ to 11‐day‐old pups received daily injections of saline, 5 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of methylphenidate hydrochloride, or no injection and were tested on postnatal Days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Both doses of methylphenidate resulted in significant increases in locomotor activity at all ages, but had no significant effect on body weight, neuromotor development, or emission of ultrasonic vocalizations. In Experiment 2, pups were given a single dose of methylphenidate (5 or 20 mg/kg), saline, or no injection on one of postnatal Days 5, 7, 9, or 11. This acute methylphenidate treatment increased locomotor activity, but had no significant effects on ultrasonic vocalizations or neuromotor coordination. These results indicate that short‐term, chronic methylphenidate treatment elevates locomotor responses, but has no immediate effects on anxietylike responses or on the development of neuromotor behavior of CD‐1 mice in the first 11 days of life. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 216–228, 2001