Date Approved
6-9-2025
Embargo Period
6-9-2027
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. Neuroscience
Department
Cell Biology and Neuroscience
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences
Advisor
Rachel Navarra, Ph.D.
Committee Member 1
Daniel Manvich, Ph.D.
Committee Member 2
Jessica Loweth, Ph.D.
Committee Member 3
Elizabeth West-Niedringhaus, Ph.D.
Committee Member 4
Cole Vonder Haar, Ph.D.
Keywords
Catecholamine Transporters;Methylphenidate;Probabilistic Discounting Task;Sex Differences;TBI
Disciplines
Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neurosciences
Abstract
Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBIs) impairs catecholamine (CA) regulation within the prefrontal cortex (PFC)-mediated leading to aberrant higher-order decision making processes. The psychostimulant, methylphenidate (MPH), elevates CA levels by blocking their reuptake transporters. However, to establish a treatment regimen, it is necessary to characterize how chronic therapeutic doses of MPH affect rmTBI-induced disruptions of decision making. Here, we assessed risk/reward decision making for 4 weeks in male and female rodents trained on the probabilistic discounting task (PDT) following rmTBI induced by the closed head-controlled cortical impact model. Rats received daily administration of saline or low-dose MPH beginning 48 hours from final injury through behavioral testing. The combination of rmTBI and MPH treatment significantly increased risky choice preference in males for 2 weeks post-surgery. In contrast, MPH alone disrupted choice behavior in uninjured females within the first week post-surgery. CA transporter protein levels were altered within subregions of the PFC only within the first week following injury, MPH treatment and the combination. These results indicate MPH treatment transiently exacerbates risky behavior and CA transporter protein in males, but not females, following rmTBI. These sex-specific responses advise caution for males exposed to making decisions that involve uncertain risk/reward outcomes when considering MPH to treat post-rmTBI cognitive symptoms.
Recommended Citation
Papadopoulos, Eleni, "THE EFFECTS OF LOW DOSE METHYLPHENIDATE ADMINISTRATION ON RISK/REWARD DECISION MAKING AND CATECHOLAMINE TRANSPORTER EXPRESSION FOLLOWING REPETITIVE MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN RODENTS" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 3386.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3386
