Sahar Mohamed Kamal
Aim: Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). It enhances both noradrenergic and 5HT 1 serotonergic transmission. The present study investigated the changes in forced swimming test and the alteration of GABA contents by this antidepressant drug in nucleus accumbens, as a part of the limbic system, from albino rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced anhedonia.
Methods: Albino rats were divided into 3 groups; group (1) received vehicle without exposure to CMS, group (2) received vehicle with exposure to CMS, group (3) received mirtazapine 16 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal (ip) dissolved in DMSO for 3 weeks during exposure to CMS.
Results: Reversal of CMS-induced anhedonia after 3 weeks ip administration of 16 mg/kg/day mirtazapine was observed. It modifies the behavioral changes recorded by the forced swimming test (FST) as well as the content of GABA neurotransmitter in their isolated nucleus accumbens.
Conclusion: The present study proposes the presence of a possible GABAergic role of mirtazapine in nucleus accumbens in the treatment of depressive disorders.
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