Histological Changes of Maternal Risperidone and Folic acid on the Cerebellar Cortex of the Offspring of the Albino Rat

Abstract

Background: Risperidone is atypical, second-generation antipsychotic and folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin.Objective: Assessment of the effect of risperidone on the development of the cerebellar cortex of albino rats, and evaluation of the protective potential of folic acid. Material and Methods: The study involved treatment of 60 pregnant rats and examination of 180 of their offspring. The pregnant rats were divided equally into five groups (I–V), each of which was subdivided equally into two subgroups (A and B). Rats in the A subgroups were gavaged with a daily dose of 1 ml distilled water (subgroup IA), 0.58 ml distilled water (subgroup IIA), 0.072 mg Folic acid (subgroup IIIA), 0.108 mg risperidone (subgroup IVA) or 0.108 mg risperidone with 0.072 mg folic acid (subgroup VA), throughout pregnancy. Rats in the B subgroups received the same regimen throughout pregnancy and for 21 days after delivery. The cerebella of all studied offspring were subjected for light microscopic examination. In addition, the cerebella of 21 day old offspring were used for electron microscopic examination and morphometric study.Results: Risperidone induced signs of delayed development and degenerative changes in the cerebellar cortex. The degenerative changes were; cytoplasmic vacuoles, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria with destructed cristae, degenerated mitochondria and nuclear changes. Co-administration of folic acid with risperidone ameliorated the delayed development and the degenerative changes.Conclusion: Treatment of the pregnant rats with risperidone induced delayed development and degenerative changes in the cerebellar cortex of their offspring. The co-administration of folic acid with risperidone led to an amelioration of these deleterious effects. So, in pregnant and lactating women treated with risperidone, co-supplementation with folic acid is advisable.