title: Effects of valproic acid on an animal model of tardive dyskinesia.
abstract: GABAergic hypofunction in the basal ganglia is stated as an important mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia. The present study investigates the effects of the GABA-mimetic drug valproic acid (VA) on the manifestation of reserpine-induced orofacial movements, an animal model of tardive dyskinesia. Male Wistar rats received two injections of control solution or of 1 mg/kg reserpine separated by 48 h. Twenty-four hours later, animals were acutely treated with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg VA or control solution and were observed for quantification of orofacial movements and of open-field general activity. The highest dose of VA inhibited the manifestation of reserpine-induced orofacial movements but none of the VA doses modified reserpine-induced decrease in open-field general activity. These results support the potential of VA as an effective pharmacological tool in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology-Escola Paulista de Medicina/UNIFESP, Edifício José Leal Prado, Rua Botucatu, 862 CEP, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcello F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Vanessa C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Abílio
authors.forename: Regina H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frussa-Filho
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012110:Reserpine; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018682:GABA Agents; D014635:Valproic Acid; D012110:Reserpine