Fetal methylphenidate exposure induced ADHD-like phenotypes and decreased Drd2 and Slc6a3 expression levels in mouse offspring.

Methylphenidate (MPD) is used as a first-line treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The number of prescriptions for ADHD patients is increasing, suggesting that the number of fertile women using such medication might be also increasing. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of MPD exposure during the fetal period on infant development, behavior, learning, and memory in mice. Expression levels of candidate genes associated with ADHD were also determined in the brain of pups born to MDP-treated dams who were administered MPD orally at a dose of 2.5, 7.5, or 15 mg/kg daily from gestational day 1 to the day before delivery. Offspring aged 6-8 weeks were subjected to the spontaneous locomotor activity, elevated plus-maze, and passive avoidance tests and therapeutic treatments with MPD or atomoxetine. Fetal MPD exposure induced ADHD-like phenotypes, such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, in mouse offspring, which were suppressed by treatment with MPD and atomoxetine. These mice showed decreased Drd2 and Slc6a3 expression levels in the brain, which are often observed in ADHD model animals. Our results suggest that continuous use of MPD during pregnancy induces ADHD phenotypes in the offspring.

No increase in 6-week treatment effect of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy with the use of the LUMOback in people with non-acute non-specific low back pain and a directional preference of extension: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To pilot the methods for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate whether the treatment effect of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is enhanced with the LUMOback. DESIGN: Assessor blinded RCT with 3 and 6-week follow-ups. SETTING: An outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Primary eligibility criteria were: a directional preference of lumbar extension, ≥18years of age, and non-specific low back pain lasting for ≥1month. INTERVENTIONS: The MDT group undertook extension exercises (10reps/3hour) and postural correction using a lumbar roll at home. The MDT+LUMOback group also wore the LUMOback daily, providing a vibration alert in a slouched posture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Global Rating of Change Scale (GRCS) (0-6), recruitment rate per month, treatment sessions, compliance rate of wearing the LUMOback, participants' adherence with treatment, dropout rate and the stage of the MDT program at six weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants were included for 20 months (a recruitment rate of 1.1 patient/month). Dropout rate was 9%. The mean (SD) of the GRCS of the MDT and MDT+LUMOback groups were 4.7 (0.8) and 4.7 (0.5) at the 3-week follow-up and were both 4.9 (0.5) at the 6-week follow-up. The patients undertook a mean of 6.7 sessions for six weeks and exercises with mean of 3.7set/day in each group. The mean compliance rate of wearing the LUMOback was 88%. Nobody was discharged from the intervention with full recovery within six weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicated a promising method for the full RCT, but a rationale for the full RCT was not justified. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000018380.