Behavioral Studies of the Prefrontal Cortex in Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Alprazolam

INTRODUCTION: Alprazolam is a member of the benzodiazepine class of psychotropic drugs. It is an anxiolytic drug used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, due to its sedative properties. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety, this drug shows high potential of being abused and addicted. Alprazolam works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the Central Nervous System (CNS) where it produces its sedative and anxiolytic properties. This study, therefore, aims to examine the effects of prolonged exposure to alprazolam on the behavioral and cognitive function in the Prefrontal Cortex of male wistar rats. METHODOLOGY: A total number of 15 adult Male Wistar rats weighing 240-280g were procured; the rats were grouped into Three (3) groups. Groups 1-3 consist of Five (5) rats each. Group 1 served as the control and given 0.5ml of Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), while Groups 2 and 3 were administered 0.5 mg/kg (low dose) and 1.0 mg/kg (high dose) of Alprazolam respectively, for a duration of Four weeks (28 days). Administration was done orally through the use of oral cannula. Behavioral assessments were conducted using the Y-maze test, the Elevated Plus Maze test, the Open Field Maze test, and the Morris Water Maze test after the administration weeks. Testing was conducted under controlled conditions with consistent handling to reduce stress, videos of each behavioral tests were taken by a digital camera for proper monitoring and the time used by each rats were carefully recorded. RESULT: There was an increase in the Body weight of rats administered 0.5mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg of alprazolam compared to the control group. Behavioral studies showed that in Y-maze, alprazolam did not impaired spatial memory of rats administered 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg. Morris Water Maze revealed an intact working-memory in rats administered 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg of alprazolam. Open Field test and Elevated plus maze test showed that rats administered 0.5 mg/kg exhibit low level of anxiety behavior while rats treated with 1.0mg/kg showed an increase in anxiety-like behaviors in rats administered indicating dosage effects. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: From this study, we have been able to see that prolonged exposure to alprazolam has effect on the behavioral activity of the Prefrontal Cortex of the wistar rats.