Ketamine, an N-methyl –D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has been abused as a recreational drug due to its euphoric, dissociative, and hallucinogenic characteristics. Series of studies have been carried out on the effect of ketamine on cognition and memory. However, there is dearth literature on the activities of ketamine as a recreational drug of abuse; its effect on motor response in association with cognitive behaviours in Wistar rat models. Hence, this study is necessary to investigate the effects of chronic administration of sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine on perceptual, cognitive, and motor responses in Wistar rats. 25 Wistar rats (160-180 kg) were randomly selected into five groups and treated for three weeks thus: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (0.2 mL Ketamin-i.p), Group 3 (0.4 mL Ketamin-i.p), Group 4 (0.6 mL Ketamin-i.p) Group 5 (0.5 mL Cerebrex-orally). Neurobehavioral (Barnes, rotarod, and handgrip) activities exhibited by the various groups were recorded and analyzed using ANOVA. In the Barnes maze test, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in escape time from weeks 1, 2 and 3 in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control. In week 2 and 3 of the handgrip test, animals in group 4 had a significant improvement (p<0.05) in grip strength when compared to control. In weeks 1 and 2 of the rotarod test, groups 2 and 4 animals respectively, showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in balance compared to control. Sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine inhibited cognitive function but not motor responses in Wistar rats.

The rising prevalence of obesity is known to be associated with the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) amongst others, but the levels vary across gender and different populations. The present study therefore evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) status on basic renal functions in obese women resident in Rivers State of Nigeria. The least allowed sample size of 272 was determined using the Leslie Fischer's formula; exactly 334 obese and non-obese women within their 18 and 65 years of age with no critical health condition and resident in Upland and Riverine areas of Rivers State were actually surveyed by the present study. A multistage sampling technique was adopted, and subjects were surveyed across the upland and riverine locations of the State. These subjects were evenly drawn from the multi-ethnic residents of the state. Anthropometric (body mass index-BMI) data and blood sample (via antecubital vein following standard procedures) were obtained from the consenting subjects. After laboratory analyses, the numerical data were subjected to statistical analyses using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test with a p< 0.05 considered statistically significant were determined. There were generally significant (p<0.05) increases in the creatinine and marked (p<0.05) reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) in the obese subjects compared to the non-obese and also with increasing BMI. The Creatinine and eGFR values were significantly (p<0.0) dyregulated. In conclusion, the above results of the present study are only markers of renal risks, (e.g. chronic kidney disease, etc.) and not necessarily incidences of emergencies. It however suggestive that obese women in Rivers Sate of Nigeria, particularly the riverine residents should take caution as their obesity status could predispose them to significant renal disorders.