Effects of buspirone on experimental depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in rats

Abstract

It is shown that pretreatment with buspirone 45–60 min prior to MPTP administration performed daily for 12 days prevented or weakened the development of depressive symptoms in rats. Specifically, it prevented a reduction of daily water intake, weakened the preference for sugar solution over water, and, to a lesser degree, shortened the increase in the duration of immobilization and lowered the index of depression in the forced swimming test, but did not affect the drop in motor and exploratory activity.