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. 2018 Dec 31;13(12):e0209494.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209494. eCollection 2018.

Effects of pregabalin on neurobehavior in an adult male rat model of PTSD

Debra A Valdivieso  1 , Thomas G Baughan 2nd  1 , Ursuline M Canavati  1 , Allison M Rey  1 , Cristal L Trotter  1 , Destynni R Burrell  1 , John E Buonora  1 , Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga  1
Affiliations

Effects of pregabalin on neurobehavior in an adult male rat model of PTSD

Debra A Valdivieso et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a very debilitating condition. Effective approaches to prevent and treat PTSD are important areas of basic science research. Pregabalin (PGB), a gabapentinoid derivative of γ-aminobutyric acid, possesses the potential to positively affect neurobehavioral changes associated with PTSD. Using a rodent model of PTSD, the aims of this study were to determine the effects of PGB as a possible prevention for the development of PTSD-like symptoms and its use as a possible treatment. A prospective, experimental, between groups design was used in conjunction with a three-day restraint/shock PTSD stress model. Sixty rats were randomly assigned between two groups, non-stressed and stressed (PTSD). Each of the main two groups was then randomly assigned into six experimental groups: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve, PTSD vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). The neurobehavioral components of PTSD were evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM), Morris water maze (MWM), and forced swim test (FST). Pregabalin administered 24 hours before the initial PTSD event or for 10 days following the last PTSD stress event did not statistically improve mean open arm exploration on the EPM, spatial memory, and learning in the MWM or behavioral despair measured by the FST (p > 0.05).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. ANCOVA for total body weight.
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve; and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). Mean total body weight is reported with the standard error of the mean (SEM).
Fig 2
Fig 2. ANCOVA for total water intake weight.
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve; and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). Mean total water intake weight is reported with the SEM. Asterisks denote statistical significance at p < .05. PTSD-Post-PGB was significantly less than PTSD-Pre-PGB and all three control groups. PTSD Veh was significantly lower than Con-Veh, Con-PGB, and PTSD-Pre-PGB. PTSD-Pre-PGB was significantly higher than Con-Naïve.
Fig 3
Fig 3. ANCOVA for total food intake weight.
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve, and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). Mean total food intake weight is reported with the SEM. Asterisks denote statistical significance at p < .05. PTSD-Pre-PGB was significantly higher than the PTSD-Post-PGB.
Fig 4
Fig 4. ANOVA of Mean Open-Arm Time Ratio (percent) from Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) and Standard Error of the Mean (SEM).
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve, and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). Asterisks denote statistical significance at p < .05. PTSD vehicle and PTSD Post-PGB post-treatment had significantly lower mean open arm time ratio when compared to control. PTSD Post-PGB had significantly lower mean open arm time ratio when compared to Control PGB.
Fig 5
Fig 5. ANOVA of Time in Zone1 (Platform Zone) from Morris water maze (MWM) and Standard Error of the Mean (SEM).
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve; and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). Mean total body weight is reported with the standard error of the mean (SEM). There was not a significant difference between the six groups.
Fig 6
Fig 6. ANOVA of Mean Time Mobile from Forced Swim test (FST) and Standard Error of the Mean (SEM).
Each of the main two groups (Stressed and Non-stressed) had three subgroups: non-stressed: control vehicle, control PGB, control naïve; and stressed: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vehicle, PTSD Pre-PGB (prophylactic), PTSD Post-PGB (non-prophylactic). There was no significant difference between the six groups.
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