Effectiveness of ivermectin in rats with haloperidol induced tardive dyskinesia.

Abstract

Introduction: Extrapiramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia are common problems associated with antypsychotic therapy. Basic and clinical research is warranted due to the lack of effective therapies aimed to the prevention and treatment of antipsychotic side effects.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of ivermectin in rats with haloperidol induced tardive dyskinesia.
Methods: The effect of ivermectin on motor behavior and abnormal movements was tested in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with a single dose of haloperidol. In addition, a chronic animal model known as VCM (vacuous chewing movements) was implemented with the objective to evaluate the effect of ivermectin on the frequency of orofacial movements during a period of six months.
Results: Ivermectin does not prevent the motor behavior and frequency of abnormal movements induced by haloperidol in the acute model. Orofacial movements were not reduced with ivermectin in the chronic model. In addition, ivermectin was not associated with changes in motor behavior and abnormal movements in the acute and chronic model.
Conclusions: Ivermectin is not a good candidate for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and the results of this study do not support the GABAergic hypothesis in the physiopathology of tardive dyskinesia. Additionally, ivermectin does not induce abnormal movements.

Authors

• Mauricio Palacios Universidad del Valle
• Hernán Pimienta Universidad del Valle