Evaluation of Neurobehavioural and Cognitive Changes Induced by Carbamazepine and/or Phenytoin in Wistar Rats

The study was to evaluate the neurobehavioural and cognitive changes in Wistar rats administered carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHE) and their combination. Forty, apparently, healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing about 300 g were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. Group I rats were administered distilled water at 10 ml/kg. CBZ, 20 mg/kg, PHE 100 mg/kg and CBZ+PHE, 20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively were administered to groups II, III and IV, per os. The regimens were given once daily for eight weeks, the rats were monitored for neurobehavioural and cognitive changes. The results showed that administration of CBZ, CBZ+PHE and PHE decreased (P < 0.05) locomotion of the treated rats. Rearing decreased (P < 0.05) in rats treated with PHE. Cognition was not significantly affected by the treatments. In conclusion, chronic administration of CBZ, PHE and CBZ+PHE decreased locomotion, while PHE alone decreased rearing in Wistar rats.