Chronic treatment with escitalopram reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairment by enhancing cholinergic activity in wistar albino rats

Objective: Escitalopram is one of the commonly used antidepressants. The use of antidepressants is increasing throughout the world. There is minimal evidence on the effect of chronic administration of escitalopram on scopolamine-induced memory impairment. So, the current study was aimed at evaluating the effects of chronic escitalopram administration on learning and memory in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned equally to four groups, i.e., Control, scopolamine and two doses of escitalopram. The test drug was given orally for 28 days. Scopolamine was given single dose intraperitoneally. The rats were subjected to two behavioural paradigms, i.e., water maze and T maze. After behavioural tests, the rats were sacrificed. Brain acetylcholinesterase level was estimated, and histopathological examination was done. Results: Higher dose of escitalopram was able to reverse scopolamine-induced memory impairment both in the water maze and T maze. Escitalopram at this dose could also reverse the scopolamine-induced increase in brain acetylcholinesterase and histopathological changes. Conclusion: Chronic administration of escitalopram reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairment in a dose-dependent manner by enhancing cholinergic activity.