Assessing Dexmedetomidin’s Efficacy in Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Using a Rat Experimental Model

AIM: To elucidate the effects of nasal and intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine (DexN and DexP, respectively) administration in an animal model, and to explore the underlying action mechanisms on the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 31 Wistar albino rats served as a weight-drop model to induce experimental TBI. The two treatment groups received DexN and DexP on the day of the trauma and then after 5 days. The Garcia test was performed for the neurological evaluation along with histopathological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: The rats in the treatment group displayed better neurological outcomes, as evidenced by a higher Garcia test score (p<0.001). DexP group presented with increased anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in comparison to DexN (p<0.001). DexN group demonstrated a reduction in the neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels (p=0.023), indicating that it inhibited the neuronal destruction. CONCLUSION: The present study support the hypothesis that a psychoactive drug, Dex, which has been conventionally used for sleep disorders and is also known for its cognitive-enhancing properties, may have beneficial effects after TBI owing to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective properties. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.