David E Komatsu, Panayotis K Thanos, Michelle N Mary, Haden A Janda, Christine M John, Lisa Robison, Mala Ananth, James M Swanson, Nora D Volkow, Michael Hadjiargyrou
Methylphenidate (MP) is a psychostimulant widely prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although generally well tolerated, growth deficits have been reported in children and adolescents undergoing MP treatment. This study was designed to elucidate the skeletal effects of chronic MP administration in adolescent rats. Male, 4-week-old rats received one of two doses of MP (MP-Low or MP-High) delivered for 8 h a day via drinking water, or were untreated (water only). After 13 weeks, half were sacrificed (N=12/group) and the remaining rats were left to recover, untreated for 5 additional weeks...
June 2012: Bone