Artículos de revistas
Anti-aversive effects of the atypical antipsychotic, aripiprazole, in animal models of anxiety
Fecha
2011Registro en:
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, v.25, n.6, p.801-807, 2011
0269-8811
10.1177/0269881110376690
Autor
BIOJONE, Caroline
CASAROTTO, Plinio C.
RESSTEL, Leonardo B.
ZANGROSSI JR., Helio
GUIMARAES, Francisco S.
MOREIRA, Fabricio A.
Institución
Resumen
Aripiprazole is a unique antipsychotic that seems to act as a partial agonist at dopamine D2-receptors, contrasting with other drugs in this class, which are silent antagonists. Aripiprazole may also bind to serotonin receptors. Both neurotransmitters may play major roles in aversion-, anxiety-and panic-related behaviours. Thus, the present work tested the hypothesis that this antipsychotic could also have anti-aversive properties. Male Wistar rats received injections of aripiprazole (0.1-10 mg/kg) and were tested in the open field, in the elevated plus and T mazes (EPM and ETM, respectively) and in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Aripiprazole (1mg/kg) increased the percentage of entries onto the open arms of the EPM and attenuated escape responses in the ETM. In the latter model, the dose of 0.1 mg/kg also decreased the latency to leave the enclosed arm, suggesting anxiolytic- and panicolytic-like properties. This dose also decreased the time spent in freezing in a contextual fear conditioning. No significant motor effects were observed at these doses. The present data support the hypothesis that aripiprazole could inhibit anxiety-related responses. Acting as a partial agonist at dopamine receptors, this drug could effectively treat schizophrenia and, in contrast with most antipsychotic drugs, alleviate aversive states.