Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by action tremors and various non-motor symptoms. This study investigated the potential therapeutic effects of ketamine, an N Show more
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by action tremors and various non-motor symptoms. This study investigated the potential therapeutic effects of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist with known GABA modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, in a harmaline-induced model of ET in mice. We also evaluated the changes in expression of inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL-6) as well as Leucine rich repeat and Immunoglobin-like domain-containing protein 1 (Lingo-1), a prominent gene involved in the pathogenesis of ET. Male Swiss Webster mice were divided into four groups: control, harmaline (10 mg/kg), ketamine (8 mg/kg), and harmaline + ketamine. Tremor severity, muscle strength, locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and passive avoidance learning were assessed. Cerebellar expression of Lingo-1 and IL-6 was analyzed using real-time PCR. Ketamine did not significantly reduce harmaline-induced tremors but improved muscle strength deficits in the wire grip test. In the open field test, ketamine normalized some harmaline-induced changes in locomotor activity and grooming behavior. No significant differences were observed in passive avoidance learning across groups. At the molecular level, ketamine did not mitigate the harmaline-induced increase in IL-6 expression, and Lingo-1 expression was not significantly altered by either harmaline or ketamine treatment. Our findings suggest that ketamine has limited efficacy in the harmaline ET model, showing some improvements in motor function and anxiety-like behavior but failing to address core tremor symptoms or modulate inflammatory and Lingo-1 pathways. These results highlight the complex nature of ET pathophysiology and the need for further research into targeted therapeutic approaches. Show less