Trazodone Attenuates Sleep Deprived-Induced Alterations in Sleep-Waking Pattern and Motor Behaviors in Rats

Abstract

Objective: It is well known that depression causes sleep disruption. Antidepressants are known to modify sleep rhythms. The present study was carried out to explore the effect of trazodone on the sleep-waking cycle, body weight and motor behavior in 72-hour sleep deprived rat. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=5–6 in each group) were used in the present study. EEG and EMG electrodes were implanted in the discrete areas of cerebral cortex for electrophysiological recording. Animals were sleep deprived for 72-hr using grid suspended over water method. Trazodone was administered in a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p for five days; starting two days before 72 hrs sleep deprivation. Electrophysiological recording was carried out on 6 th day after 72 hrs of sleep deprivation. Various sleep-waking parameters (sleep latency, slow wave sleep, REM, total sleep time and total waking) behavior tests (open field exploratory behavior as well as actophotometer test) and percentage reduction in body weight was used for the evaluation. Results: 72-hrs sleep deprivation significantly changed sleep-waking pattern (delayed sleep latency, reduced slow wave sleep, REM, total sleep time and significantly increased total waking), impaired motor behavior and reduced body weight as compared to the naive animals that were placed on saw dust. Five days treatment with Trazodone (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p) significantly improved disturbed sleep waking pattern, improved body weight as well as motor behavior as compared to sleep-disturbed rat. Conclusion: Present study suggests that trazodone can be used for successful management of disturbed sleep associated with depression and other related conditions. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2007.140102