Objective: 

We aimed to investigate the effects of citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on memory alterations induced by selective rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation.

Methods: 

Sixty male Wistar albino rats (average weight, 200– 300g) were equally divided into five groups: Group 1 (n=12) normal sleep + placebo (%0.9 NaCl); Group 2 (n=12) REM sleep deprivation by modified platform technique + placebo; Group 3, 4, and 5 (for each n= 12) REM sleep deprivation and 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg single dose citalopram, respectively. All the study groups, except Group 1, underwent REM sleep deprivation between the 1st -13th days of the study. Drug interventions were applied between the 8th – 13th days of the study. The rats were trained 4 times daily between Day 8 and Day 12 of the study (acquisition phase). At the 13th day, the platform was removed, and the probe test was performed for 30 seconds (retrieval).

Results: 

REM sleep deprivation led to statistically significant impairments in various learning parameters (p<0.05), and increased thigmotaxis (p<0.001); these impairments were not seen in citalopram groups. However, a dose-response relationship was not found in the effects of citalopram. In probe trials, REM sleep deprivation did not cause any significant impairment.

Conclusions: 

REM sleep deprivation retards learning by increasing thigmotaxis and the negative effects of REM sleep deprivation on learning may be prevented by citalopram.