5-HT<Subscript>6</Subscript> receptor antagonists improve performance in an attentional set shifting task in rats

Rationale and objective Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), which requires patients to ‘shift attention’ between stimulus dimensions (sorting categories), is impaired in diseases such as schizophrenia. The rat attentional set shifting task is an analogue of the WCST. Given that 5-HT₆ receptor antagonists improve cognitive performance and influence cortical neurochemistry in rats, the present study investigated the effects of 5-HT₆ receptor antagonists upon attentional set shifting in rats. Methods Rats were tested in this paradigm following sub-chronic SB-399885-T or SB-271046-A (both 10 mg kg⁻¹ bid, p.o. for 8 days prior to testing and either 4 or 2 h prior to testing on day 9, respectively). Rats were trained to dig in baited bowls for a food reward and to discriminate based on odour or digging media (Habituation, day 8). In a single session (day 9), rats performed a series of discriminations, including reversals (REV), intra-dimensional (ID) and extra-dimensional (ED) shifts. Results Neither compound altered performance during Habituation. On the test day, both SB-399885-T and SB-271046-A reduced the total trials to reach criterion and the total errors made when data were collapsed across all discriminations (P<0.05–0.01). Further, both compounds significantly reduced the trials to criterion for REV-1 (P<0.05–0.01) and abolished the ID/ED shift. SB-399885-T, but not SB-271046-A, reduced trials required to complete the ED shift (P<0.05) and the number of errors made during completion of the ID (P<0.05) and ED shifts (P<0.01). Conclusion 5-HT₆ receptor antagonists improved performance in the attentional set shifting task and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of disorders where cognitive deficits are a feature, including schizophrenia.     

WCST应用于ADHD的现状与展望

认知缺陷是注意缺陷多动障碍的核心部分 ,这种缺陷的模型与有前额叶损伤的成人相似 ,推断出注意缺陷多动障碍可能存在前额叶功能损伤。威斯康星卡片分类测验可以从成人其他脑区损伤的病人中辨别出前额叶损伤的病人 ,有证据表明威斯康星卡片分类测验可以从儿童中辨别出注意缺陷多动障碍儿童 ,该文就目前国外把威斯康星卡片分类测验应用于注意缺陷多动障碍的现状作一综述。     

注意缺陷多动障碍儿童威斯康星卡片分类测验的临床价值

目的探讨中国文化背景下汉族注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)儿童在威斯康星卡片分类测验(WCST)中的反应特征。 方法对2003-04—2004-03在中山大学附属三院儿童发育行为中心确诊的汉族ADHD儿童57例和63例正常儿童，采用修订版WCST进行了测试分析。 结果WCST的13个指标中ADHD组儿童有7个指标成绩都显著比正常对照组儿童差(P<005，P<001)。ADHD儿童与正常儿童在WCST中持续性错误数(RPE)分别为(2684±1087)与(2283±1035),P<005，总错误数(RE)分别为(5758±1806)与(4933±1855),P<005，持续性反应数(RP)分别为(3039±1388)与(2549±1268),P<005，完成总应答数(RA)分别为(12760±177)与(12286±1104)，P<001，完成分类数(CC)分别为(286±146)与(378±181),P<001，正确应答数百分比(RCP)分别为(5496±1400)与(6050±1338),P<005，概念化水平(RFP)分别为(4080±1761)与(4777±1772),P<005。控制年龄的偏相关分析显示症状、诊断都分别与WCST的多个指标相关，其中完成分类数(CC)与症状、诊断均相关。 结论汉族ADHD儿童的认知功能、认知转移能力、抽象概括能力、概念形成的洞察力不足。推测汉族ADHD儿童可能存在额叶功能缺陷。WCST可以考虑作为ADHD临床诊断的参考测验，其中较稳定的指标是完成分类数。