Sodium Valproate

Histological, electrophysiological and behavioral studies suggest a regulatory role of GABA on the DAergic neurons. Behavioral studies in animals have demonstrated that drugs which influence the activity of central GABAergic systems modulate the intensity of behaviors dependent on the functional status of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DAergic systems. Sodium valproate, enhances theGABAergic neurotransmission by acting through different mechanisms. Our study demonstrates that at higher doses valproate also enhances the central 5HTergic neurotransmission by releasing 5HT. Histological studies demonstrate an anatomical connection between the central ascending serotonergic pathway and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. Drugs known to influence the activity of central GABAergic systems have been reported to modulate the intensity of behaviors dependent on the functioning of the nigrostriatal DAergic systems and mesolimbic DAergic systems. Hence sodium valproate was investigated for its interaction and influence on DAergic and 5HTergic systems with the help of behavioral models in animals with the hope of its use in specific psychiatric disorders.