The Use Of Object Recognition Task In Animal Models Of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The interaction between genes and environmental factors has been explored in the study of the development of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most prevalent childhood psychiatric diseases. The occurrence of ADHD is typically associated with poor academic performance reflecting attentional deficits, learning difficulties and/or cognitive impulsiveness. A number of rodent models of ADHD have been developed; they proved invaluable tools in advancing our understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of this pathology. These models include the Wistar–Kyoto Hyperactive Rat, Naples high-excitability rat, dopamine transporter knockout mouse, 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat and others. However, the most validated animal model of ADHD is the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Despite some limitations, such as the hypertensive phenotype, SHR rats show behavioural and neurochemical features, which makes them a useful model of ADHD. Recently, our laboratory developed a new congenic strain of rats called SLA16 that exhibited ADHD behavioural profile. The purpose of the present chapter is to offer an overview of the current advances in the studies of animal models of ADHD. We will describe how the object recognition memory test contributed to our understanding of this psychiatric disorder and in determining novel drug targets for ADHD.