Dose-dependent memory effects and cerebral volume changes after in utero exposure to valproate in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
Recent clinical studies raised concern of a cognitive teratogenicity of the major antiepileptic drug valproate. To investigate possible cerebral correlates, we established a forced self-application schedule by diluting valproate in the drinking water of pregnant Wistar rats.


METHODS
After application of medium (MD) and high doses (HDs) with mean daily intakes of about 470 and 720 mg/kg during the entire pregnancy, we analyzed effects on offspring performance in a series of behavioral paradigms as well as brain volumetric changes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


RESULTS
While high dosages with peak serum concentrations slightly above 100 microg/ml induced early decrements in general activity and deficits in learning and memory, medium dosages led to improved watermaze performance in 30-day-old rats. MRI analyses indicated increased hippocampal volumes in the MD condition, whereas in the HD condition significantly decreased cortical and brainstem volumes were registered. Cortical volume reduction was correlated with spatial acuity in the watermaze.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that effects of valproate in utero on offspring cognitive capabilities might depend on total drug load differentially affecting cerebral development during adolescence in the rat.
Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. christian.frisch@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Christian
C
Frisch
Kerstin
K
Hüsch
Frank
F
Angenstein
Alexei
A
Kudin
Wolfram
W
Kunz
Christian E
CE
Elger
Christoph
C
Helmstaedter
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000473:pathology; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014599:Uterus; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid