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Arzneimittelforschung 2009; 59(10): 487-492
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296431
CNS-active Drugs · Hypnotics · Psychotropics · Sedatives
Editio Cantor Verlag Aulendorf (Germany)

Memory Improving and Antidepressant Effects of Topiramate in Rats

Elzbieta Nowakowska
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, (Poland)
,
Krzysztof Kus
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, (Poland)
,
Anna Czubak
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, (Poland)
,
Joanna Jedrzejewska
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, (Poland)
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 December 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Topiramate (TOP, CAS 97240-79-4) particularly potentiates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuroinhibition, and GABA and glutamate receptors, which have also been implicated in memory formation. Patients’ giving up treatment due to adverse effects (disorders of attention, memory, and verbal fluency) is the main problem with a therapy based on this drug. The antidepressant effect of TOP administered to rats in the dose of 15 mg/kg is observed only after 14 and 21 days of treatment. The delay in the antidepressant effect of TOP may be due to the modulation of GABA A receptors as well as due to the influence of the drug on receptors for type AMPA/KAIN excitatory amino acids. The research has also shown that long-term treatment with TOP in a dose of 15 mg/kg improved spatial memory, as tested in rats with Morris test. Probably, this results from the influence of the drug on GABA A receptors and the function of glutaminergic receptors (especially in processes like coding, retrieving, and potentiation of information), adaptive processes in the brain, notwithstanding, being an important factor.

As TOP is a normothymic drug, its use in the treatment of epilepsy may also positively influence cognitive processes in the so-called interseizure intervals with memory disorders; the same effects can be expected in the treatments of bipolar disorder.

Key words

Antiepileptic drug - CAS 97240-79-4 - Memory function - Normothymic drug - Rats - Topiramate, antidepressant effect
 

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