Abstract

Background: Around 5–10% of patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors discontinue therapy because of side effects. Therefore, research for newer antidepressants with greater effectiveness has to be explored.

Aims and Objectives: The present study is undertaken to evaluate the antidepressant activity of memantine in Swiss albino mice.

Materials and Methods: They were divided into four groups containing six mice in each group. First group mice were given normal saline (control) 10 mL/kg, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) as standard for the second group and for third group memantine 3 mg/kg (test drug), and memantine plus fluoxetine (3 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg) for the fourth group intraperitoneally daily for 15 consecutive days. Duration of immobility was observed for 4 min in forced swimming test. Duration of locomotor activity was observed in photoactometer. Results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s test.

Results: Memantine significantly reduced the immobility time in forced swim test compared to control (P < 0.001). Memantine showed no significant effect on locomotor activity in photoactometer. Memantine showed synergistic antidepressant effect with fluoxetine when combined together.

Conclusion: N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, memantine has showed significant antidepressant activity in experimental models of depression in mice.

Key words: Memantine; N-methyl-D-aspartate -antagonist; Forced Swim Test; Anti-depressant; Fluoxetine