The effects of agomelatine on cognitive functions and neurogenesis in male and female rats subjected to acute stress

Bakkaloğlu U., TAN B., ÖZDIRAZ K., Yalçın B., YAY A. H., BABUR E., ...Daha Fazla

Neurophysiology, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11062-026-10006-4
  • Dergi Adı: Neurophysiology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Acute stress, Agomelatine, Cortisol, Hippocampus, Neurogenesis, Sex difference, Y‑maze
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Agomelatine is a melatonergic antidepressant that has been shown to exert beneficial effects on stress-related behavioral and neurobiological outcomes. The present study investigated its impact on cognitive functions and neurogenesis in rats given acute stress. Male and female rats (n = 10 per group) were divided into four subgroups: control, acute stress, agomelatine-treated control, and agomelatine-treated stress. Agomelatine (10 mg/kg/day) was supplied via gavage for 14 days. Behavioral assays (sucrose preference, forced swimming test, Y‑maze) and immunohistochemical analyses (DCX, Nestin, Ki-67) were conducted. Agomelatine treatment improved cognitive function in stressed rats, reduced cortisol levels, and increased markers of hippocampal neurogenesis. These data demonstrate that agomelatine mitigates acute stress-induced behavioral and neuroendocrine changes, suggesting its potential function in stress-related disease.