Abstract

The atypical antipsychotic Abilify is the second most popular treatment for schizophrenia and other related disorders. Its popularity and wide use is due to its unique pharmacological profile, working differently at dopamine and serotonin receptors compared to other antipsychotics. Schizophrenia is an infamous mental dysfunction involving cognitive impairment, positive symptoms, and negative symptoms. The current study investigated Abilify’s effect in a dose-dependent manner on memory, coordination and stereotypic movement. The sample consisted of 15 male and 15 female CD-1 mice. Memory was tested in a cognitive maze, the Rota-Rod series 8 model measured coordination, and the Coulbourn Tru-Scan Activity Box recorded stereotypic movements. Abilify did not significantly affect memory, it inhibited coordination at all doses for female mice and at the highest dose for male mice, and it induced stereotypic movements at the lowest dose and inhibited such movements at the highest dose for male and female mice.

Keywords

Abilify, aripiprazole, antipsychotic, schizophrenia, dopamine, serotonin, memory, cognitive maze, coordination, Rota-Rod, stereotypy, Tru-Scan, CD-1 mice

Document Type

Thesis

Year of Completion

2017

Advisor

Grace Rossi

Academic Department

Psychology

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