Effects of memantine on recovery, cognitive functions and pain after propofol anesthesia in rats

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a frequent complication after anesthesia. On the contrary propofol is an anesthetic agent that has been proved to cause cognitive dysfunction. Memantine has benefical effects on memory deficits and learning process. It has also neuroprotective effects and is used for treatment of choronic pain syndromes. This study was designed to determine the effects of memantine on recovery, cognitve functions and pain after propofol anesthesia.Twenty Four Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups randomly: Group K (n=6) % 0,9 NaCl 1mL, Group M (n=6) memantine 1mg/kg in 1mL SF, Group P (n=6) 150 mg/kg propofol, Group MP (n=6) 1mg/kg memantine in 1mL SF, after 30 minutes 150 mg/kg propofol. Recovery, cognitive functions and pain were eveluated by tail pinch teste, RAM and hot-plate respectively.In this study recovery durations of the rats in Group MP was shorter than rats in Group P (p< 0,05). Cognitive functions of rats in Group MP was higher than Group P at the first hour after recovery (p<0,05 ). Hot-plate response time at all time points were significantly longer when compared at basal values in all groups Group K.In this study we thought that memantine has beneficial effects on recovery, cognitive functions and pain after propofol anesthesia.