Effects of neurotropin and other drugs on EEG alterations in SART-stressed (repeated cold-stressed) rats

SART-stressed (repeated cold-stressed) rats, experimental model animals for vagotonic-type dysautonomia, have been reported to show EEG with lower-amplitude fast waves during resting-arousal and higher-amplitude slow waves during slow-wave sleep compared to normal rats. In this report, the effects of certain drugs on EEG alterations were investigated using the power spectral analysis. EEG was measured 60 min after a single dose of drugs and on the day following the final dose of 6 administrations. Neurotropin, a sedative analgesic, slightly increased faster waves on resting-arousal EEG and slower waves on slow-wave sleep EEG in normal rats, and it prevented SART stress-induced EEG alterations during both resting-arousal and slow-wave sleep. Alprazolam, a minor tranquilizer, and GABOB, a GABA related compound, were also effective on SART stress-induced EEG alterations. Alprazolam produced remarkable but transient high-amplitude fast waves in the resting-arousal EEG of normal rats, and GABOB produced lasting low-amplitude fast waves in the slow-wave sleep EEG of normal rats. From the above results, it appears that Neurotropin may have an effect on EEG alterations caused by SART stress and that its action is likely due to mechanisms different from those of alprazolam and GABOB.