Effect of Fluvoxamine on Electrophysiological and Behavioral Alterations of Rats With Depression

Background: Depression is a serious mental illness with symptoms such as worry, disturbed sleep and appetite, lack of interest or pleasure, and persistent sorrow.  Objectives: This study aims to assess the effect of fluvoxamine (FLX) on behavioral and electrophysiological alterations of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the hippocampus in rats with depression. Materials & Methods: Thirty-two albino rats (weighing ۲۵۰–۳۰۰ g) were divided into four groups; control (sham), chronic mild stress (CMS), FLX, and CMS+FLX. The CMS was induced by applying different stressors for ۳ weeks. Intraperitoneal injection of FLX (۲۵ mg/Kg) was performed daily for ۱۴ days in the treatment group. Depressive-like behaviors were assessed, and local field potentials (LFP) from the hippocampus and the PCC were recorded.  Results: FLX effectively reduced depressive-like behaviors in rats with CMS (P≤۰.۰۵). Additionally, depression-induced alterations in LFP were observed in the hippocampus and the PCC. Depression reduced the power of delta and theta bands and increased the hippocampal low-gamma band power (P≤۰.۰۵). In the PCC, depression increased the power of delta and low-gamma bands and reduced the power of the alpha band (P≤۰.۰۵). Conclusion: FLX reduce depression-like behaviors in the animal model, possibly through affecting electrophysiological activity of the hippocampus and the PCC.

Keywords:

Depression , Hippocampus , Posterior cingulate cortex , Fluvoxamine , Local field potential recording