Evaluation of Drug Induced Neuronal Damage in Rats

Previous somatic treatments of schizophrenia include continuous sleep therapy, insulin coma, electroconvulsive therapy & psychosurgical treatments. These options are usually associated with serious adverse effects. Over the ensuing 50 years, several classes of compounds with anti-psychotic activity have been developed. Fluphenazine is one of the typical antipsychotic drugs, use to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate various neuronal damages & behavioral impairment caused by the intramuscular administration of fluphenazine deconate in the rats. Rats were treated with 5mg/0.2ml fluphenazine IM for one month. This research work revealed a definite pattern, sequence and manifestation of the adverse effects produced by the drug during the whole period. Fluphenazine treated rats have shown a significant decreased loco motor activity, some neuronal damage & cognitive impairment, as rats developed rotational behavior & ptosis after the chronic administration of the drug which is a clear cut indication of neuronal stress as compare to the control rats. The inhibition of the locomotor activity is may be due to decreased level of dopamine, GABA ergic hypofunction & oxidative stress at basal ganglia. Cognitive impairment & rotational behavior in fluphenazine treated rats clearly revealed that this drug may impart neuronal damage in rats.