Behavioral Studies of the Hippocampus in Female Wistar Rats Exposed to Alprazolam

INTRODUCTION: Alprazolam is a widely used medication in the benzodiazepine class, primarily indicated for anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. It has a role as an anxiolytic drug, an anticonvulsant, a muscle relaxant, a sedative, a gamma-amino-butyric-acid (GABA) agonist and a xenobiotic. Prolonged use of alprazolam is associated with adverse side effects like drowsiness, light-headedness, dependence and withdrawal symptoms such as: sweating, increased anxiety, and muscle aches. The study aim at determining the behavioral changes in the hippocampus of female wistar rat exposed to alprazolam. METHODOLOGY: 15 adult female wistar rats weighing 240g – 270g were gotten the rats were grouped into three (3) groups. Group one to three consisting of five (5) female rats each. Group 1 was administered 0.5ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS), group 2 and 3 were administered 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg dose of alprazolam daily respectively. Administration was orally through the use of an oral cannula for 28days. Behavioral test such as Y-maze, Open field, Elevated plus maze, Morris water maze were conducted after administration has been completed to determine the behavioral changes in female wistar rat due to prolonged exposure of alprazolam. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the body weight of female wistar rats administered 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg Alprazolam compared to the control group. The behavioral test results are: Y-maze revealed that alprazolam impaired spatial memory in rats administered 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg Alprazolam. Morris water maze showed an increase in the working memory of rats administered 0.5mg/kg Alprazolam and a decrease in the working memory of rats administered 1mg/kg of Alprazolam. Open field box showed a decrease in the anxiety level of rats administered 0.5mg/kg Alprazolam and an increase in the anxiety level of rats administered 1mg/kg Alprazolam. Elevated plus maze showed an increase in the anxiety level of rats administered 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg Alprazolam. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The results suggest that prolonged administration of alprazolam impairs spatial memory, working memory and increases anxiety-related behaviors in female wistar rats, which may be attributed to the drug`s anxiolytic effects and potential neurotoxicity on the hippocampus.