Acute Effects of Modafinil on Brain Resting State Networks in Young Healthy Subjects

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069224
• Publication Date: 2013-07-25T18:28:08Z
• Authors: Roberto Esposito; Franco Cilli; Valentina Pieramico; Antonio Ferretti; Antonella Macchia; Marco Tommasi; Aristide Saggino; Domenico Ciavardelli; Antonietta Manna; Riccardo Navarra; Filippo Cieri; Liborio Stuppia; Armando Tartaro; Stefano L. Sensi
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Progressive Matrices; working-memory; diffusion tensor; functional connectivity; dopamine transporter; progressive matrices; inhibitory control; prefrontal cortex; parietal cortex; default mode; long-term; Science; Prefrontal Cortex; Modafinil; Parietal Cortex; Neuropsychological Tests; Long-Term; Functional Connectivity; Dopamine Transporter; Placebos; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Double-Blind Method; Working-Memory; Humans; Attention; Benzhydryl Compounds; Diffusion Tensor; Nootropic Agents; Brain Mapping; Q; R; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; 3. Good health; Inhibitory Control; Medicine; Default Mode; Research Article

Background There is growing debate on the use of drugs that promote cognitive enhancement. Amphetamine-like have been employed as enhancers, but they show important side effects and induce addiction. In this study, we investigated modafinil which appears to less compared other amphetamine-like drugs. We analyzed performances brain resting state network activity 26 healthy young subjects. Methodology A single dose (100 mg) was administered in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Both groups were tested for neuropsychological with Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices II set (APM) before three hours after administration drug or placebo. Resting functional magnetic resonance (rs-FMRI) also used, hours, investigate changes networks. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) evaluate differences structural connectivity between two groups. Protocol ID: Modrest_2011; NCT01684306; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01684306. Principal Findings Results indicate improves performance assessed by APM. Rs-fMRI showed produces statistically significant increased activation Frontal Parietal Control (FPC; p<0.04) Dorsal Attention (DAN; No modifications observed. Conclusions Significance Overall, our findings support notion has enhancing properties provide data these effects. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01684306