title: The effect of lamotrigine on learning in mice using the passive avoidance model.
abstract: Lamotrigine (LTG) is an antiepileptic drug that inhibits the release of glutamate by blocking sodium channels. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of LTG in different stages of memory using a passive avoidance learning task in mice.
  
  
  
  Male albino mice in the weight range 20-25g were used. They were divided into four groups (control group and three groups receiving various doses of LTG). LTG was given in three doses of 10, 25, and 50mg/kg as intraperitoneal (IP) injections. The doses of LTG were used in three injection groups: before acquisition, after consolidation, and before retrieval at 24h. The retention latency times in each group were recorded using a step-through passive avoidance task 24h and one week after consolidation.
  
  
  
  Retention latency in the group receiving a high dose of LTG (25mg/kg) after one week was significantly increased in comparison to the group receiving a low dose of LTG (10mg/kg) (267±49.96 vs. 198.87±57.22, P=0.015). With injection of LTG after consolidation, the retention latency times were increased in all doses after a one-week retrieval compared to the control (P=0.023). Kaplan-Mayer surveillance analysis also showed significant differences in the latencies of the LTG-receiving group after 24h and one week's retrieval (P=0.041). Administration of LTG before retrieval at 24h showed a significant difference in retention latency time, which was increased for two doses of LTG (10 and 50mg/kg) after one week (203.5±63.67 vs. 270.25±19.78, P=0.024).
  
  
  
  LTG at higher doses may facilitate the learning process in mice and appears to improve memory function at different stages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arab
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarghami
authors.affiliation: Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bijani
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Sohrab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Electronic address: aliamoghadamnia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moghadamnia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine