Evaluation of effects of histochrome and mexidol on structural and functional characteristics of the brain in senescence-accelerated OXYS rats by magnetic resonance imaging.

The effects of histochrome and mexidol on the morphology and function of the brain and behavior were studied in senescence-accelerated OXYS and Wistar rats. MRI showed that signs of neurodegenerative changes were present in OXYS rats at the age of 3 months and were pronounced at the age of 12 months. Histochrome (1 mg/kg, 5 days) more effectively than mexidol (4 mg/kg, 7 days) reduced anxiety and increased exploratory activity of 1-year-old OXYS rats. Both drugs improved the morphology and function of the brain. Their effects consisting in correction of diffuse changes in the white matter and reduction of edema were comparable; in addition, histochrome reduced the intensity of demyelinization processes.