Investigation of Effects of L-Theanine on PTSD-induced Changes in Rat Neurobehavior

Authors

  • Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Michael W. Bentley US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Jeremiah Wolfe US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Susan Baldwin US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Thomas Onstott US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Ken Aytes US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Bryan Ferrara US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Mark Alleyn US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • Christopher Fortner US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University
  • George A. Ceremuga Geneva Foundation
  • Gina Padrón Geneva Foundation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2015.2.1.91

Keywords:

PTSD, Neurobehavior, Green Tea, L-Theanine

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating neuropsychological disorder that may develop in response to traumatic experiences. Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, memory deficits, and depression. We investigated L-Theanine on neurobehavioral effects in a PTSD rodent model. Evaluation of the effects of L-Theanine as a sole agent and in combination with midazolam on neurobehavior was analyzed using the Elevated Plus-Maze, Morris Water Maze, and Forced Swim Test. Statistical analysis consisted of comparison of PTSD symptoms in PTSD vs. non-stressed groups. Data regarding weight gain between the 40 control (non-stressed) and 40 PTSD (stressed) rats were significantly different (p < 0.001), where the control rats gained an average of 55.4 grams compared to 37.4 grams for the PTSD rats over the 10 post stress days. This research did not show statistical significance with single dose administration of L-Theanine or in combination with midazolam. However, the theoretic framework and Post-Traumatic Stress Disease Induction Model were validated based on this research. This study establishes a solid framework for future investigation of PTSD treatments. Future studies of L-Theanine and other herbal therapies may use an extended dosing period to obtain a steady state for the period of time needed to alter neurobiology.

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Author Biographies

Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga, CRNA, PhD

Professor, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S; Neuroscience Researcher, Adjunct Staff Researcher, Institute of Surgical Research.

Michael W. Bentley, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Associate Professor, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Jeremiah Wolfe, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Susan Baldwin, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Thomas Onstott, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Ken Aytes, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Bryan Ferrara, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Mark Alleyn, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

Christopher Fortner, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing/Northeastern University

Graduate Student, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, AMEDDC&S

George A. Ceremuga, Geneva Foundation

Medical Student, University of South Dakota

Gina Padrón, Geneva Foundation

Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Animal Science

Nursing Student, Wayland Baptist University

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Published

01-01-2015

How to Cite

1.
Ceremuga TE, Bentley MW, Wolfe J, Baldwin S, Onstott T, Aytes K, Ferrara B, Alleyn M, Fortner C, Ceremuga GA, Padrón G. Investigation of Effects of L-Theanine on PTSD-induced Changes in Rat Neurobehavior. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2015 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 4];2(1):11-20. Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/91

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