EVALUATION OF EFFECT OF PIRACETAM IN EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF DEPRESSION

Aims: To study effect of piracetam in experimental models of depression.

Methods: Mice (n = 6/group) pretreated with distilled water, fluoxetine (28 mg/kg) and  piracetam – 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg for 7 days were subjected to tail suspension test (TST) on day 7. Rats (n=6/group) were pretreated for 7 days with distilled water, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and piracetam (300, 400, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg) and on day 7, forced swim test (FST) was conducted. Immobility time in seconds was noted in both the models and analysed using one-way ANOVA (level of significance p<0.05).

Results: In TST, immobility time was reduced significantly (p<0.01) and in a dose-dependent manner with all but one dose of piracetam compared to vehicle. In FST, significant difference from control group was seen with higher doses of piracetam (500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg) with a dose-dependent trend. The mean immobility durations in the groups with significant improvement were found to be comparable to that of the respective fluoxetine groups in both models. No signifiant difference was seen in the general motor activity in all the treatment groups as assessed by the open field test.

Conclusion: Piracetam shows anti-depressant activity in experimental models of depression over a wide dose range and in a dose-dependent manner.