BACKGROUND: Prenatal stress can cause neurobiological and behavioral defects in offspring; environmental factors play a crucial role in regulating the development of brain and behavioral; this study was designed to test and verify whether an enriched environment can repair learning and memory impairment in offspring rats induced by prenatal stress and to explore its mechanism involving the expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) and activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the hippocampus of the offspring. METHODS: Rats were selected to establish a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned on 21st day and housed under either standard or an enriched environment. The learning and memory ability were tested using Morris water maze and Y-maze. The expression of IGF-2 and Arc mRNA and protein were respectively measured by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: There was an elevation in the plasma corticosterone level of rat model of maternal chronic stress during pregnancy. Maternal stress's offspring exposed to an enriched environment could decrease their plasma corticosterone level and improve their weight. The offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy exhibited abnormalities in Morris water maze and Y-maze, which were improved in an enriched environment. The expression of IGF-2, Arc mRNA, and protein in offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy was boosted and some relationships existed between these parameters after being exposed enriched environment. CONCLUSIONS The learning and memory impairment in offspring of prenatal stress can be rectified by the enriched environment, the mechanism of which is related to the decreasing plasma corticosterone and increasing hippocampal IGF-2 and Arc of offspring rats following maternal chronic stress during pregnancy.
Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Learning ; Learning Disabilities/psychology* ; Male ; Memory Disorders/psychology* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/psychology* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Social Environment ; Stress, Psychological/genetics*

Bacopa monnieri is a medicinal plant with a long history of use in Ayurveda, especially in the treatment of poor memory and cognitive deficits. In the present study, we hypothesized that Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) can improve memory via increased cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus. BME was administered to 7-week-old mice once a day for 4 weeks and a novel object recognition memory test was performed. Thereafter, the mice were euthanized followed by immunohistochemistry analysis for Ki67, doublecortin (DCX), and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and western blot analysis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BME-treated mice showed moderate increases in the exploration of new objects when compared with that of familiar objects, leading to a significant higher discrimination index compared with vehicle-treated mice. Ki67 and DCX immunohistochemistry showed a facilitation of cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation following the administration of BME in the dentate gyrus. In addition, administration of BME significantly elevated the BDNF protein expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and increased CREB phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus. These data suggest that BME improves novel object recognition by increasing the cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus, and this may be closely related to elevated levels of BDNF and CREB phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus.
Animals ; Bacopa* ; Blotting, Western ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* ; Cell Proliferation* ; Cognition Disorders ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein* ; Dentate Gyrus* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Immunohistochemistry ; Memory ; Mice ; Neurogenesis ; Phosphorylation* ; Plants, Medicinal

PURPOSE: Adolescents who experienced the alcohol consumption have gradually increased. Adolescence is a critical period of the neural plasticity in the brain. Neural plasticity is mediated by neurotrophins and has an impact on cognitive function. Environmental enrichment ameliorates the cognitive function and increases neurotrophins. Thus, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of environmental enrichment on ethanol induced cognitive impairment in adolescent rats. METHODS: The ethanol groups and the controls groups were injected with ethanol (0.5g/kg) and phosphate buffered saline, respectively, through intraperitoneal from 28th day of birth for 11 days. The environmental enrichment groups were provided larger cages containing toys than the standard cage . Passive avoidance test and Y-maze test were performed to evaluate the spatial memory. RESULTS: Environmental enrichment+ethanol group showed higher alterations than the standard environment+ethanol group in Y-maze test (p<.05). In hippocampus, The environmental enrichment+ethanol group showed significantly higher level of the number of c-fos positive celsl and density of tropomyosin receptors kinase B receptor than the standard environment+ethanol group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: So, we suggested that the environmental enrichment played a role as a prophylaxis for prevention of memory impairment induced by ethanol exposure in adolescence.
Adolescent* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Animals ; Brain ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; Ethanol* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Memory ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Parturition ; Phosphotransferases ; Plastics ; Play and Playthings ; Rats* ; Spatial Memory ; Tropomyosin

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible neurophysiologic mechanisms of propofol and N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist against learning-memory impairment of depressed rats without olfactory bulbs.

METHODSModels of depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were established. For the factorial design in analysis of variance, two intervention factors were included: electroconvulsive shock groups (with and without a course of electroconvulsive shock) and drug intervention groups [intraperotoneal (ip) injection of saline, NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 and propofol. A total of 60 adult depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (n=10 per group): ip injection of 5 ml saline; ip injection of 5 ml of 10 mg/kg MK-801; ip injection of 5 ml of 10 mg/kg MK-801 and a course of electroconvulsive shock; ip injection of 5 ml of 200 mg/kg propofol; ip injection of 5 ml of 200 mg/kg propofol and a course of electroconvulsive shock; and ip injection of 5 ml saline and a course of electroconvulsive shock. The learning-memory abilities of the rats was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. The content of glutamic acid in the hippocampus was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The expressions of p-AT8Ser202 in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSPropofol, MK-801 or electroconvulsive shock alone induced learning-memory impairment in depressed rats, as proven by extended evasive latency time and shortened space probe time. Glutamic acid content in the hippocampus of depressed rats was significantly up-regulated by electroconvulsive shock and down-regulated by propofol, but MK-801 had no significant effect on glutamic acid content. Levels of phosphorylated Tau protein p-AT8Ser202 in the hippocampus was up-regulated by electroconvulsive shock but was reduced by propofol and MK-801 alone. Propofol prevented learning-memory impairment and reduced glutamic acid content and p-AT8Ser202 levels induced by electroconvulsive shock.

CONCLUSIONElectroconvulsive shock might reduce learning-memory impairment caused by protein Tau hyperphosphorylation in depressed rats by down-regulating glutamate content.

Animals ; Depression ; psychology ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Electroshock ; Glutamic Acid ; analysis ; Learning Disorders ; prevention & control ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; prevention & control ; Phosphorylation ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the psychological state of children with epilepsy and analyze its influencing factors.

METHODSThe Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent was used to survey 113 children with epilepsy and 114 normal children to evaluate and compare their psychological state. Questionnaires were used to investigate the general status of all subjects and the disease condition and treatment of children with epilepsy. The possible influencing factors for the psychological state of children with epilepsy were analyzed.

RESULTSThe mental health status of children with epilepsy was poorer than that of normal children in cognition, thinking, emotion, will-behavior, and personality traits (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family education, family relations, seizure frequency, seizure duration, EEG epileptiform discharges in the last six months, and number of types of antiepileptic drugs were correlated with the psychological state of children with epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a wider range of psychological health problems in children with epilepsy than in normal children. Poor family living environment, poor seizure control, and use of many antiepileptic drugs are the risk factors affecting the psychological state of children with epilepsy. Improving family living environment, controlling seizures, and monotherapy help to improve the psychological state of children with epilepsy.

Adolescent ; Child ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo study the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on memory impairment after cerebral infarction through the observation of hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of brain tissue metabolites in the patients of cerebral infarction.

METHODSSixty cases of memory impairment after cerebral infarction were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training and medication were applied to all the patients. In the observation group, beside the basic treatment, EA was applied to bilateral Ezhongxian (MS 1), Dingzhongxian (MS 5), Dingniehouxiexian (MS 7), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Fengchi (GB 20). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. The clinical memory scale was used for the score evaluation before and after treatment in all the patients. The magnetic resonance image (MRI) and 1H-MRS scanning were applied to the head. The ratio of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) and the ratio of choline (Cho) and Cr were determined in the foci of cerebral infarction.

RESULTSEight weeks later, the scores of clinical memory scale were all increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two group (all P<0. 01). The ratio of NAA and Cr was increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05); the ratio of Cho and Cr was reduced as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05). The changes in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (all P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of the conventional medication and rehabilitation training, EA improves the metabolism of brain tissue and memory function of the patients. The efficacy of this therapy is better than that of medication combined with rehabilitation training.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Infarction ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

The present study was aimed at determining the effects of Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction (TQHXD) on the Ca(2+)-CaMKII-CREB pathway and the memory and learning capacities of rats with vascular dementia (VD). The rat VD model was established by using an improved bilateral carotid artery ligation method. The Morris water maze experiment was used to evaluate the ethology of the VD rats following treatments with TQHXD at 3.01, 6.02, and 12.04 g·kg(-1) per day for 31 days. At the end of experiment, the hippocampus were harvested and analyzed. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to measure the expression levels of calmodulin-binding protein kinase II(CaMKII), protein kinase A(PKA), cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB), and three N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B). Our results revealed that TQHXD could alleviate the loss of learning abilities and increase the memory capacity (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 vs the model group, respectively). The treatment with 6.02 and 12.04 g·kg(-1) of TQHXD significantly up-regulated the Ca(2+)-CaMKII-CREB pathway in the hippocampus. In conclusion, TQHXD showed therapeutic effects on a bilateral carotid artery ligation-induced vascular dementia model, through the up-regulation of calcium signalling pathways.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Learning Disabilities ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential effect of Guizhi plus Gegen Decoction (GGD) in improving learning and memory of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced neuroinflammatory mice and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 63 male ICR mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control (n = 13), the model group (n = 13), the low dose GGD group (n = 10), the high dose GGD group (n = 14), and the positive control group (n = 13). Mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.33 mg/kg) to induce Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. Mice in the high and the low dose GGD groups were administered with 12 g/kg or 6 g/kg by gastrogavage for 4 successive weeks. Mice in the control group were intraperitoneally injected with minocycline (50 mg/kg) for 3 days. By the end of treatment LPS were injected 4 h before behavior test each day, and then behavior test was conducted in mice of each group. Effect of GGD on learning and memory of AD mice was observed by using open field test, novel object recognition task, and Morris water maze.

RESULTSOpen field test showed there was no statistical difference in the movement time and the movement distance among all groups (P > 0.05), suggesting that LPS and GGD had no effect on locomotor activities of mice. In novel object recognition test, AD mice spent significantly shorter time to explore novel object after they were induced by LPS (P < 0.05), while for AD mice in the low and high dose GGD groups, their capacities for exploration and memory were significantly improved (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). Results of Morris water maze showed that AD mice exhibited increased escape latency (P < 0.05) and spent much less time in swimming across the original platform (both P < 0.05). However, AD mice in the low and high dose GGD groups had obvious shortened latency and increased time percentage for swimming (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGGD possessed certain improvement in learning and memory disorder of LPS induced AD mice.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neuritis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Phytotherapy

Behavioral characteristics of the animal models and humans are impaired in chronic stress. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of sertraline and curcumin on stress-induced learning and memory impairment, anxiety and anhedonia in rats. Male rats were divided into seven groups: stress+water, stress+olive oil, stress+curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), stress+sertraline (10 mg/kg/day), curcumin, sertraline, and control groups. The rats were exposed to chronic variable stress for 56 days. At the end of 40 days and while the previous treatments were continued, the rats were tested in the eight radial maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption for learning and memory, anxiety, and anhedonia, respectively. In comparison to the non-stressed group, stress+water and stress+olive oil groups revealed a significantly lower percent of correct choices and higher reference and working memory errors during learning and retention phases (p<0.001). In addition these stress groups showed a significant lower percent of the open arms time and open arms entries in the elevated plus maze and consuming less sucrose solution. In addition, the stress+curcumin and stress+sertraline groups showed a better performance in the evaluated parameters of the radial arm maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption tests. It appears that curcumin and sertraline have the similar effectiveness on behavioral changes in chronic variable stress-induced rats.
Anhedonia ; Animals ; Anxiety ; Arm ; Curcumin ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; Memory, Short-Term ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Retention (Psychology) ; Sertraline ; Sucrose

PURPOSE: In this study a cognitive enhancement group training program of 10 sessions was provided for community-dwelling elders and the effects on cognitive function, depression and quality of life were tested. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group, pre-post design was used. The participants were 87 elders whose cognitive function was within the normal range. Of these elders, 45 were assigned to the experimental group and 42 to the control group. The intervention was conducted once a week for 10 weeks. Chi-square test, t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: After the program, the cognitive function (t=-2.85, p=.006), depression (z=2.82, p=.005) and quality of life (t=2.79, p=.007) of the experimental group was significantly better than those of the control group. Especially, immediate recall (z=2.45, p=.014) and concentration (z=2.58, p=.010) in the subcategory of cognitive function were significantly better than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the cognitive enhancement group training program was effective in enhancing the cognitive function, depression and quality of life for elders and could therefore be considered as a positive program for emotional and cognitive support for community-dwelling elders.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognition Disorders/*therapy ; Cognitive Therapy ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory, Short-Term ; *Program Evaluation ; Quality of Life ; Recognition (Psychology)