Riluzole Ameliorates Harmaline-induced Tremor in Rat

Fatemeh Rahimi Shourmasti , Iran Goudarzi, Kataneh Abrari, Mahmoud Elahdadi Salmani, Taghi Laskarbolouki.
Basic and clinical neuroscience - , , 138-143
Publication year:

Abstract

Introduction

Excessive olivo-cerebellar burst-firing occurs during harmaline-induced tremor. We hypothesized that antiglutamatergic agents would suppress harmaline tremor. From this point of view, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of riluzole on harmaline-induced tremor in rat.

Methods

Four groups of Wistar rats weighing 80–100 g were injected with harmaline (30 mg/ kg i.p.) for inducing experimental tremors. The rats in group 1 served as control, whereas the animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were also given riluzole intraperitonealy at doses of 2, 4 and 8 mg/ kg 30 min before and 90 min after harmaline administration. The onset latency, intensity and duration of tremor were recorded.

Results

The results of this study demonstrated that riluzole could significantly increase latency period, and reduce duration and intensity of tremor.

Discussion

It is concluded that pretreatment of riluzole can ameliorate harmaline-induced tremor in rats.