Análise da ação farmacológica do haloperidol sobre o sistema dopaminérgico e sua influência na arquitetura do sono

Abstract

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the processes of emotion generation and complex movements. The alteration of dopaminergic synaptic transmission has been implicated as one of the clinical worsening factors in psychiatric and neurological cases such as Parkinson's, schizophrenia and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Individuals with these conditions tend to demonstrate sleep disturbances characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, behavioral disturbances, and decreased REM sleep latency, as well as changes in general sleep architecture. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to verify the action of a drug that modulates the dopaminergic system, haloperidol, in the distribution of late sleep phases in REM and slow waves over 4 hours of electrophysiological recordings in mice. To analyze the identification and staging of 9 sleep, two-dimensional state maps (state-map) associated with electromyography were used. Subsequently, for each hour, statistical analyzes were performed comparing the number and duration of sleep episodes (REM and NREM) and wakefulness between the saline and haloperidol groups. Therefore, our results show that the haloperidol group had a lower percentage of REM during late sleep. Finally, further studies are needed to understand how modulators of the dopaminergic system, especially haloperidol, can act as a major contributor in the cognitive deficit of patients who use this medication pharmacologically.