Evaluation of Chronic and Acute Effects of Gabapentin on Passive Avoidance Learning Process in Mice

Gabapentin (GBP) is one of the new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) applied extensively in neurology and psychiatry. The advantage of new AEDs includes newer mechanism of action, broad spectrum of anti-seizure effects, lesser drug interactions and fewer side effects. GBP is a cyclized analogue of GABA but it does not interact with GABA receptors, nor does it inhibit GABA uptake or prevent the degeneration of GABA. Restricted studies have been performed on acute and chronic effects of GBP on passive avoidance (PA) learning and little is known about its chronic phase. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate acute and chronic effects of GBP on passive avoidance learning in 100 mice (w=30 gr). Ten mg/kg GBP were injected interaperitoneally for assessment of memory in three steps (acquisition, consolidation and retrieval). Shuttle box trial was used for PA task assessment. Retrieval memory was tested 24h after injection, and the results indicated increased Step Through Latency (STL), showing the enhancement of memory. Moreover, in acute phase of PA, GBP enhanced acquisition and retrieval of memory. In chronic phase of PA, GBP showed no effect on memory. The present study suggests that GBP exerted no destructive effects on cognition; however, it improved emotional cognitive performance in mice in PA tasks.