RESUMEN
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as hyperactivity disorder in children, is a behavioral disorder commonly found in children, particularly preschool-aged children. This disorder can lead to cognitive impairment, learning difficulties, conduct disorders, and other mental health issues, severely impacting the quality of life for affected children. Moreover, the global prevalence of ADHD continues to rise. Establishing an animal model that closely aligns with clinical symptoms and the pathogenesis of the disease is crucial for advancing research on the prevention and treatment of ADHD. In recent years, research on animal models of ADHD has rapidly developed. Researchers have developed nearly 20 animal models from genetic and environmental perspectives. However, most of these models are still in the exploratory stage, and there is insufficient research to thoroughly investigate their pathogenesis, core characteristics, and drug effects. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is currently the most commonly used animal model for ADHD because of its excellent face validity and developmental stage that better corresponds to childhood. In addition, dopamine transporter (DAT) knockout mice, LPHN3 knockout rats, and neonatal rat hypoxia models have also shown good face validity. Some researchers have injected SHRs with daily doses of levothyroxine sodium, which not only induces typical ADHD symptoms in the rats but also exhibits signs of Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity, which successfully simulates the Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity syndrome type of ADHD, providing a new approach for constructing and evaluating ADHD animal models that combine both traditional Chinese and western medicine. This article reviewed ADHD animal models reported in China and abroad over the past decade, summarized rodent models of ADHD into three major categories: genetic models, chemically induced models, and environmentally induced models, and analyzed each category to provide a reference for selecting and exploring appropriate models for experimental ADHD research.