NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MODAFINIL AGAINST SOMAN-INDUCED HIPPOCAMPAL-LESIONS

We examined the neuroprotective effect of modafinil against soman-indu ced hippocampal damage. In mice, modafinil administered at 60 mg kg(-1 ) i.p. 2 h before soman significantly reduced the density of hippocamp al omega 3 peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites, an indirect marker of neuronal damage, as compared to soman control animals. This was co nfirmed in rats: injection of the same dose of modafinil to soman-into xicated rats diminished neuronal damage in both CA, and CA, areas as d etermined by microscopical examination of the hippocampal tissue. Thes e results give the first evidence of the neuroprotective effect of mod afinil at 600 mg kg(-1) in the case of organophosphate intoxication. S ince glutamate is involved in soman-induced neuronal damage, the possi ble actions of modafinil on the release and uptake of this neurotransm itter and/or on the interaction with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors ar e discussed.