Effect of Fluvoxamine on Electrophysiological and Behavioral Alterations of Rats With Depression

Background: Depression is a serious mental illness with symptoms such as worry, disturbed sleep and appetite, lack of interest or pleasure, and persistent sorrow. Objectives: This study aims to assess the effect of fluvoxamine (FLX) on behavioral and electrophysiological alterations of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the hippocampus in rats with depression. Materials & Methods: Thirty-two albino rats (weighing 250–300 g) were divided into four groups; control (sham), chronic mild stress (CMS), FLX, and CMS+FLX. The CMS was induced by applying different stressors for 3 weeks. Intraperitoneal injection of FLX (25 mg/Kg) was performed daily for 14 days in the treatment group. Depressive-like behaviors were assessed, and local field potentials (LFP) from the hippocampus and the PCC were recorded. Results: FLX effectively reduced depressive-like behaviors in rats with CMS (P≤0.05). Additionally, depression-induced alterations in LFP were observed in the hippocampus and the PCC. Depression reduced the power of delta and theta bands and increased the hippocampal low-gamma band power (P≤0.05). In the PCC, depression increased the power of delta and low-gamma bands and reduced the power of the alpha band (P≤0.05). Conclusion: FLX reduce depression-like behaviors in the animal model, possibly through affecting electrophysiological activity of the hippocampus and the PCC.