[Afobazole decreases motor side effects induced by haloperidol]

Area of Science:

• Neuropharmacology
• Behavioral Neuroscience

Context:

• Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, induces extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and motor disturbances.
• Afobazole is an anxiolytic drug with potential interactions with dopaminergic and sigma 1 receptors.

Purpose:

• To investigate the effects of afobazole on haloperidol-induced motor behaviors in rodents.
• To explore the potential of afobazole in mitigating haloperidol-induced side effects.

Summary:

• A single dose of afobazole (10 mg/kg) enhanced haloperidol's effect in the apomorphine-induced climbing test in mice but did not affect haloperidol-induced catalepsy.
• Repeated daily administration of afobazole (10 mg/kg) for five days reduced haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal effects in both rats and mice, without altering apomorphine-induced climbing.
• Afobazole's ability to reduce haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal disturbances may be linked to its agonist activity at sigma 1 receptors.

Impact:

• Afobazole demonstrates a dose- and duration-dependent modulation of haloperidol's effects.
• Findings suggest afobazole as a potential adjunct therapy to manage antipsychotic-induced motor side effects.
• The study highlights the role of sigma 1 receptors in mediating these neuropharmacological interactions.