Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1997

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Johanson, Ingrid B.

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Terry, Leslie M.

Abstract

This study was designed to develop an animal model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder based on frontal cortical functioning in 3, 6, 9, & 12-day-old neonatal rats. In Expt. 1, frontal cortical activity was suppressed with intracranial injections of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. In Expt. 2, frontal activity was suppressed with brain transections. Pups in both experiments were tested in a habituation-to-odor learning paradigm and behaviors including general activity, headwaving, probing, and rolling were recorded. Results indicated that frontal cortical suppression, caused by either lidocaine injection or brain transection, resulted in significantly higher activity levels in 3-day-olds particularly with regard to rolling, suggesting that the frontal cortex is involved in the regulation of rolling behavior. Frontal transections, but not lidocaine injections, also significantly increased activity in 12-day-old pups due to increased locomotor probing and wall climbing. Results are consistent with the neuropsychological research regarding frontal cortical functioning and inhibition in children with ADHD, and show potential as a future animal model of ADHD.

Extent

83 p.

Comments

FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1997.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identifier

FADT15516

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS