Abstract
Absence epilepsy and depression are comorbid disorders, but the molecular link between the two disorders is unknown. Here, we examined the role of the melatoninergic system in the pathophysiology of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) and depression-like behaviour in the Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat model of absence epilepsy. In WAG/Rij rats, SWD incidence was higher during the dark period of the light-dark cycle, in agreement with previous findings. However, neither pinealectomy nor melatonin administration had any effect on SWD incidence, suggesting that the melatoninergic system was not involved in the pathophysiology of absence-like seizures. Endogenous melatonin levels were lower in the hippocampus of WAG/Rij rats as compared to non-epileptic control rats, and this was associated with higher levels of melatonin receptors in the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus. In line with the reduced melatonin levels, cell density was lower in the hippocampus ofWAG/Rij rats and was further reduced by pinealectomy. As expected, WAG/Rij rats showed an increased depression-like behaviour in the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, as compared to non-epileptic controls. Pinealectomy abolished the difference between the two strains of rats by enhancing depression-like behaviour in non-epileptic controls. Melatonin replacement displayed a significant antidepressant-like effect in bothWAG/Rij and control rats. These findings suggest that a defect of hippocampal melatoninergic system may be one of the mechanisms underlying the depression-like phenotype inWAG/Rij rats and that activation of melatonin receptors might represent a valuable strategy in the treatment of depression associated with absence epilepsy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1973 |
| Journal | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 6 2018 |
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Keywords
- Absence seizures
- Depression
- Melatonin
- MT receptors
- Pinealectomy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- Molecular Biology
- Spectroscopy
- Computer Science Applications
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
Cite this
Abnormal hippocampal melatoninergic system : A potential link between absence epilepsy and depression-like behavior in WAG/Rij rats? / Moyanova, Slavianka; Fusco, Antonio De; Santolini, Ines; Celli, Roberta; Bucci, Domenico; Mastroiacovo, Federica; Battaglia, Giuseppe; Nicoletti, Ferdinando; Tchekalarova, Jane.
In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 19, No. 7, 1973, 06.07.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Abnormal hippocampal melatoninergic system
T2 - A potential link between absence epilepsy and depression-like behavior in WAG/Rij rats?
AU - Moyanova, Slavianka
AU - Fusco, Antonio De
AU - Santolini, Ines
AU - Celli, Roberta
AU - Bucci, Domenico
AU - Mastroiacovo, Federica
AU - Battaglia, Giuseppe
AU - Nicoletti, Ferdinando
AU - Tchekalarova, Jane
PY - 2018/7/6
Y1 - 2018/7/6
N2 - Absence epilepsy and depression are comorbid disorders, but the molecular link between the two disorders is unknown. Here, we examined the role of the melatoninergic system in the pathophysiology of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) and depression-like behaviour in the Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat model of absence epilepsy. In WAG/Rij rats, SWD incidence was higher during the dark period of the light-dark cycle, in agreement with previous findings. However, neither pinealectomy nor melatonin administration had any effect on SWD incidence, suggesting that the melatoninergic system was not involved in the pathophysiology of absence-like seizures. Endogenous melatonin levels were lower in the hippocampus of WAG/Rij rats as compared to non-epileptic control rats, and this was associated with higher levels of melatonin receptors in the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus. In line with the reduced melatonin levels, cell density was lower in the hippocampus ofWAG/Rij rats and was further reduced by pinealectomy. As expected, WAG/Rij rats showed an increased depression-like behaviour in the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, as compared to non-epileptic controls. Pinealectomy abolished the difference between the two strains of rats by enhancing depression-like behaviour in non-epileptic controls. Melatonin replacement displayed a significant antidepressant-like effect in bothWAG/Rij and control rats. These findings suggest that a defect of hippocampal melatoninergic system may be one of the mechanisms underlying the depression-like phenotype inWAG/Rij rats and that activation of melatonin receptors might represent a valuable strategy in the treatment of depression associated with absence epilepsy.
AB - Absence epilepsy and depression are comorbid disorders, but the molecular link between the two disorders is unknown. Here, we examined the role of the melatoninergic system in the pathophysiology of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) and depression-like behaviour in the Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat model of absence epilepsy. In WAG/Rij rats, SWD incidence was higher during the dark period of the light-dark cycle, in agreement with previous findings. However, neither pinealectomy nor melatonin administration had any effect on SWD incidence, suggesting that the melatoninergic system was not involved in the pathophysiology of absence-like seizures. Endogenous melatonin levels were lower in the hippocampus of WAG/Rij rats as compared to non-epileptic control rats, and this was associated with higher levels of melatonin receptors in the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus. In line with the reduced melatonin levels, cell density was lower in the hippocampus ofWAG/Rij rats and was further reduced by pinealectomy. As expected, WAG/Rij rats showed an increased depression-like behaviour in the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, as compared to non-epileptic controls. Pinealectomy abolished the difference between the two strains of rats by enhancing depression-like behaviour in non-epileptic controls. Melatonin replacement displayed a significant antidepressant-like effect in bothWAG/Rij and control rats. These findings suggest that a defect of hippocampal melatoninergic system may be one of the mechanisms underlying the depression-like phenotype inWAG/Rij rats and that activation of melatonin receptors might represent a valuable strategy in the treatment of depression associated with absence epilepsy.
KW - Absence seizures
KW - Depression
KW - Melatonin
KW - MT receptors
KW - Pinealectomy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85049829805&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85049829805&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijms19071973
DO - 10.3390/ijms19071973
M3 - Article
C2 - 29986414
AN - SCOPUS:85049829805
VL - 19
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
SN - 1661-6596
IS - 7
M1 - 1973
ER -