Conclusions
Chronic haloperidol administration in rats appears to increase forebrain GABA production along with astrocyte metabolic activity. Studies exploring these processes in subjects with schizophrenia should take into account the potential confounding effects of antipsychotic medication treatment.
Methods
We used ex vivo ¹³C magnetic resonance spectroscopy along with high-performance liquid chromatography after [1-¹³C]glucose and [1,2-¹³C]acetate administration to analyze forebrain tissue from rats administered oral haloperidol for 1 or 6 months.
Results
Administration of haloperidol for 1 month produced no changes in ¹³C labeling of glutamate, glutamine, or GABA, or in their total levels. However, a 6-month haloperidol administration increased ¹³C labeling of glutamine by [1,2-¹³C]acetate. Moreover, total GABA levels were also increased. Haloperidol administration also increased the acetate/glucose utilization ratio for glutamine in the 6-month cohort. Conclusions: Chronic haloperidol administration in rats appears to increase forebrain GABA production along with astrocyte metabolic activity. Studies exploring these processes in subjects with schizophrenia should take into account the potential confounding effects of antipsychotic medication treatment.