EVOKED-POTENTIALS IN DIABETIC SYNDROME OF RATS BEFORE AND AFTER 2 MONTHS OF METHADONE TREATMENT

The effect of two months treatment with methadone (0.87 mg/kg per os, daily) on the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in female control and diabetic rats were studied. Diabetes was induced by alloxan monoh ydrate (65 mg/kg i.v.). SEPs obtained after electrical stimulation of the contralateral forepaw and recorded from the scalp, by an non invas ive method, showed high reproducibility. Prolonged latency (156%) and a marked amplitude enhancement (371%) characterized the mid-latency SE Ps following 64 days methadone treatment of healthy rats. Experimental diabetes induced significant alteration of both parameters; amplitude decrease of earlier components (N1, P2) and delayed latency of later ones (P3). Two months methadone treatment of diabetic rats not only le ads to the recovery but also augmented P2 (P25) amplitude (225%). It w as concluded that no essential differences exist in the methadone effe ct on control (healthy) and diabetic Wistar female rats.