Effect of Sodium Valproate pretreatment on Haloperidol induced catalepsy in rats

Sodium valproate a broad spectrum antiepileptic, elevates the brain GABA levels. Studies have suggested a regulatory role of GABA on Dopaminergic neurons. Behavioural studies in animals have provided additional interaction between GABAergic and DAergic systems. Hypofuntioning of nigrostriatal DAergic system in rats is responsible for induction of catalepsy. Haloperidol induces catalepsy in rats by blocking post synaptic striatal D2DA receptors. Hence the study was taken up to evaluate the effect of sodium valproate pretreatment on Haloperidol induced catalepsy. Sodium valproate 100 to 400 mg/Kg significantly increased the cataleptic effect of Haloperidol at both 1 and 2 hour testing time intervals.