RESUMO
Novel and effective treatments for mania are needed, and wellvalidated animal models are important to reach this goal. The psychostimulantinduced hyperactivity is the most frequently animal model of mania used. Although this model is validated pharmacologically using mood stabilizers, data about its predictive validity with negative controls (i.e., drugs that are clinically ineffective in treating mania) are lacking. The present study evaluated the effects of the repeated administration of a clinically effective drug (sodium valproate) and clinically ineffective drug (topiramate) on methylphenidate (MPH)induced maniclike behaviors in Swiss mice in the behavioral pattern monitor (BPM). Methylphenidate increased locomotor activity and center activity in the BPM. Valproate attenuated the effect of MPH on locomotor and general activity, with no effect on center activity. Topiramate did not affect any MPHinduced maniclike behaviors. Methylphenidate did not change exploratory activity (rearing or nose poking). These results support the predictive validity of MPHinduced hyperactivity for screening antimaniclike drugs.