Background and purpose: Nerve growth factor (NGF), as neurotrophin, has a role in response of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to stress. In this study, we investigated the role of NGF by inhibiting nerve growth factor anxiety-like behaviors induced by forced swim stress in rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into four groups (Control group: vehicle group and treatment groups: 10, 50 and 100 µM of AVG 879 tyrphostin). Intraventricular injection of vehicle and AVG 879 is exerted before force swim stress. Morris water Maze was used to investigate anxiety levels. Data was analyzed by STATISTICA V 5.5 usig ANOVA test.

Results: The duration time in closing arm reduced in the group that received AG-879 at low concentrations (10 and 50 μM) (P< 0.05), while it increased in the group that received Tyrphostin at 100 μM (P< 0.05). Also, the time duration in the open arm significantly increased in rats that had AG-879 at 10 and 50 μM, but at 100 µM of the drug this parameter decreased (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Exposure to stress increased anxiety-related behavior. Compared with the control group, anxiety-like behaviors reduced in the groups that received nerve growth factor inhibitor.