Long-term consequences of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on sustained attention and prelimbic PV+ interneuron maturation in rats

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Late-adolescent exposure to methylphenidate impairs parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneuron maturation in the prelimbic cortex, resulting in lasting deficits in sustained attention. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Antonio Pérez-Colorado; Juan Jorge  Piernas López; Reyes Martínez-Marín; Juan Pedro Vargas; Estrella Díaz

doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111757

May 1, 2026Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological PsychiatryOpen Access

Long-term consequences of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on sustained attention and prelimbic PV+ interneuron maturation in rats

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Key Points

This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on attention and the maturation of specific interneurons in the brain.
Adolescent rats were exposed to methylphenidate during late adolescence (PD49–69).
Assessment of sustained attention was conducted post-exposure.
Analysis focused on the density of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons in the prelimbic cortex.
MPH exposure led to a significant reduction in PV+ interneuron density in the prelimbic cortex.
Rats treated with MPH exhibited lower hit rates and poor adaptation in sustained attention tasks.
The findings indicate a critical vulnerability window for psychostimulant exposure affecting prefrontal cortex development.

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Implication

Finds impaired attention and interneuron maturation in rats exposed to methylphenidate during adolescence, indicating critical developmental vulnerability.

Abstract

• Late-adolescent MPH impaired PV+ interneuron maturation specifically in prelimbic cortex. • Only PD49–69 MPH blocked the normal rise in PV+ interneurons, in males and females. • Reduced PV+ density was accompanied by lasting deficits in sustained attention. • MPH-treated rats showed lower hit rates and poor adaptation under high demand. • Findings reveal a critical vulnerability window to psychostimulant exposure in PFC development.

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Pérez-Colorado et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1a7f230307b785094317c8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111757

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Long-term consequences of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on sustained attention and prelimbic PV+ interneuron maturation in rats

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Long-term consequences of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on sustained attention and prelimbic PV+ interneuron maturation in rats

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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