Behavioral and Biochemical Analysis of a Dual-Target CNS Agent Using Rodent Maze Models

This experimental research explores the therapeutic value of a new dual-target central nervous system (CNS) drug that concurrently regulates GABAergic and glutamatergic systems to treat  co-occurring  cognitive  impairment  and  anxiety  symptoms.  Performed  on  thirty  adults  male  Wistar  rats,  the  study  utilized  proven  behavioural  paradigms  Elevated  Plus  Maze  (EPM)   for anxiety   and   Morris  Water   Maze   (MWM)   for   spatial   learning   along   with    post-mortem biochemical assays to examine acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and markers of  oxidative stress  like  malondialdehyde  (MDA)  and  superoxide  dismutase  (SOD).  Results   indicated significant, dose-dependent enhancements: high-dose treatment groups demonstrated increased open-arm  exploration  in  EPM  and  reduced  escape  latencies  with  more  time  spent   in  target quadrants  in  MWM,  indicating  anxiolytic  and  cognitive-enhancing  effects.   Biochemically,  a significant decrease in AChE and MDA levels and increased SOD activity validated  enhanced cholinergic transmission and antioxidant defense. One-way ANOVA validated these results with high statistical significance (p