Turkish Neurosurgery
The Effect of Quetiapine on Treatment of Experimental Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Murat Hamit Aytar1, Soner Çivi2, Memduh Kaymaz3, Ertan Ergün4, Fevziye Figen Kaymaz5, Aydın Paşaoğlu3
1Acibadem University Vocational School of Health Services, Neurosurgery, İstanbul,
2Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery, Adana,
3Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery, Ankara,
4Kavaklıdere Umut Hospital, Neurosurgery, Ankara,
5Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery, Ankara,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.17476-16.1

Aim:It is well known that treatment modalities against secondary damage due to spinal cord injury (SCI) are very important. This phase has been researched in many experimental studies. Apoptosis is one of the major mechanisms of secondary damage on spinal cord. The present study was undertaken to determine if quetiapine, a 5-HT2 receptor blocker atypical antipsychotic agent can rescue neuronal cells from apoptosis in a spinal cord injury (SCI) model.Material and Methods:Thirty two female Wistar rats were seperated to 4 equal groups. Total laminectomy was performed at T5-7 level and spinal cord injury was produced by using clip compression technique. Each rat from groups “1 day” (D-I) and “7 days” (D-II) was daily injected intraperitoneally with Quetiapine (10mg/kg/day). No treatment was applied to control groups “1 day” (K-I) and “7 days” (K-II) . At the end of follow up periods all animals were sacrificed and spinal cords were removed. Apoptotic cells were evaluated by using immunohistochemical technique (TUNEL) in injured spinal cord specimens.Results:We showed that, there was a significant difference statistically while counting ApopTag positive cells, both at 1 day groups of K-I and D-I (p=0,00000008) and at 7 day groups of K-II and D-II (p=0,000005). Unlike the 1 day period, statistically significant difference was found between grey and white matter ApopTag positive cells at 7th day (p=0,0001).Conclusion:According to our study quetiapine has a protective effect on secondary damage caused by spinal cord injury, while also can be used in posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and agitation as a versatile agent

Corresponding author : Soner Çivi