The effect of duloxetine on ECoG activity of absence-epilepsy model in WAG/Rij rats

Abstract

Introduction: Many epidemiological studies have found a high incidence of depression and anxiety in people with epilepsy. Duloxetine is a selective inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake (SNRI) and commonly prescribed in a patient with major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of duloxetine on the WAG/Rij rat in an experimental rat model of absence-epilepsy. Methods: WAG/Rij rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups with 7 animals in each group. Tripolar electrodes were placed on the skull to perform electrocorticography (ECoG) evaluation. Then, following the recovery period, ECoGs were recorded at 09:00 am for 3 hours every day. Subsequently, duloxetine (1, 5, 10 and 30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p). After the treatment program, ECoG recordings were taken for 3 hours. And then all animal anxiety-like behavior by using the behavioral test, open field test (OFT) was performed after duloxetine (1,5,10 and 30 mg/kg) treatment. The total number and the total duration of the spike-wave discharges (SWDs) were calculated offline. The number of squares crossed (locomotor activity) and the duration of grooming episodes were analyzed in OFT. Results: The doses of duloxetine (1 mg/kg) did not alter ECoG and OFT parameters. The 5, 10 and 30 mg/kg doses of duloxetine decreased the total number and the total duration of SWDs, (p<0.05) and increased the number of squares crossed when compared to with control group (p<0.05) without changing duration of grooming episodes (p>0.05). Intraperitoneal administering of 1 mg/kg duloxetine did not show any statistically significant change in regard to the number and duration of SWDs. Discussion and Conclusion: In the present study, duloxetine reduce dose-dependent absences-like seizures and anxiety-like behavior.