• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 1997

Dementia is defined as a syndrome which is characterized by various impairments in cognitive functions, especially memory function. Most of the diagnostic criteria for dementia include memory impairment as on essential feature. Memory decline can be present as a consequence of the aging process. But it does not cause significant distress or impairment in social and occupational functionings while dementiadoes. Depression may also be associated with memory impairment. However, unlike dementia, depression dose not cause decrease in delayed verbal learning and recognition memory. In dementia, different features of memory impairment may be present depending on the involved area. Memory impairment in cortical dementia is affected by the disturbance of encoding of information and memory consolidation, while memory imparnene in subcortical denentiy is affected by the disturbance of retrieval in subcortical dementia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.368-373
• /
• 2018

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has an essential role in the process of learning and memory in the hippocampus. It has been reported that linalool, a major component of Lavandula angustifolia, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, along with other effects. However, the effect of linalool on the cognitive impairment and behavioral alterations that are induced by REM-sleep deprivation has not yet been elucidated. Several studies have reported that REM-sleep deprivation-induced memory deficits provide a well-known model of behavioral alterations. In the present study, we examined whether linalool elicited an anti-stress effect, reversing the behavioral alterations observed following REM-sleep deprivation in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanism of the effect of linalool. Spatial memory and learning memory were assessed through Y maze and passive avoidance tests, respectively, and the forced swimming test was used to evaluate anti-stress activity. The mechanisms through which linalool improves memory loss and behavioral alterations in sleep-deprived mice appeared to be through an increase in the serotonin levels. Linalool significantly ameliorated the spatial and learning memory deficits, and stress activity observed in sleep-deprived animals. Moreover, linalool led to serotonin release, and cortisol level reduction. Our findings suggest that linalool has beneficial effects on the memory loss and behavioral alterations induced by REM-sleep deprivation through the regulation of serotonin levels.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of Yukmijihwangtang on cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory impairment by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Methods: The ability of learning and memory of rats was measured using the eight-arm radial maze and the passive avoidance test, and profile of cholinergic neuron was assessed in the medial septum and hippocampus region by immuno-histochemistry. Results: 1. No differences were found between groups in the number of correct choices in acquisition performance during the eight-arm radial maze task. 2. No differences were found between groups on day 1 in the error rate in acquisition performance, which is defined as the number of enters into the same arm more than once within five minutes. After 5 to 6 days of test, the number of errors was significantly reduced in the Yukmijihwangtang group (forebrain ischemia group with Yukmijihwangtang treatment), compared with the ischemia group. 3. The memory processes significantly improved in the Yukmijihwangtang group according to results of the passive avoidance test. 4. The appearance of AchE (acetylcholinesterase) in the CA1 region of hippocampus significantly decreased in the ischemia group, compared with the sham group (untreated group). The appearance of AchE in the same region significantly increased in the Yukmijihwangtang group, compared with the ischemia group. 5. The appearance of ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and medial septum decreased in the ischemia group, compared with the sham group. The appearance of ChAT in the same region significantly increased in the Yukmijihwangtang group, compared with the ischemia group Conclusions: This study provides evidence that Yukmijihwangtang is effective for reviving the ability of learning and memory and damaged neurons in rats with experimental cerebral ischemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.345-352
• /
• 2010

The present study was undertaken to explore the potential of erythropoietin in memory deficits of mice. Memory impairment was produced by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, $i.p.$) and intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (i.c.v STZ, 3 mg/kg, $10{\mu}l$, $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ day) in separate groups of animals. Morris water-maze test was employed to assess learning and memory. The levels of brain thio-barbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated to assess degree of oxidative stress. Brain acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was also measured. Scopolamine/streptozotocin administration induced significant impairment of learning and memory in mice as indicated by marked decrease in Morris water-maze performance. Scopolamine/streptozotocin administration also produced a significant enhancement of brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress (an increase in TBARS and a decrease in GSH) levels. Treatment of erythropoietin (500 and 1,000 IU/Kg i.p.) significantly reversed scopolamine- as well as streptozotocin-induced learning and memory deficits along with attenuation of those-induced rise in brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress levels. It may be concluded that erythropoietin exerts a beneficial effect in memory deficits of mice possibly through its multiple actions including potential anti-oxidative effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2013

Objectives : ${\beta}$-Asarone (BAS) is an active ingredient in Acori Rhizoma. This study investigated anti-neuroinflammatory and memory ameliorating effects of BAS in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : BAS was administered orally at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-ㅍ), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, was measured in hippocampus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 4 h after the LPS injection. An ameliorating effect of 30 mg/kg BAS on learning and memory impairment in the LPS-treated mice was verified using the Morris water maze test. Results : BAS significantly attenuated up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 mRNA in hippocampus tissue of the LPS-treated mice. In acquisition training test, BAS improved learning performance of the LPS-treated mice with a significant decrease of escape latency to the platform. In memory retention test, BAS also ameliorated memory impairment of the LPS-treated mice with a significant increase of swimming time in zones neighboring to the platform, number of target heading, and memory score. Conclusion : The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus by BAS could be one of the mechanisms for BAS-mediated ameliorating effect on learning and memory impairment in LPS-treated mice.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2020

This study examined whether Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is related to the reduction of specific memory among linguistic memory and visuospatial memory, and to identify the most predictive index for discriminating MCI from normal elderly. The subjects were analyzed for 189 elderly (103 healthy elderly, 86 MCI). The verbal memory was used by the Seoul Verbal Learning Test. visuospatial memory was measured using the Rey Complex Figure Test. As a result of multiple logistic regression, verbal memory and visuospatial memory showed significant predictive performance in discriminating MCI from normal elderly. On the other hand, when all the confounding variables were corrected, including the results of each memory test, the predictive power was significant in distinguishing MCI from normal aging only in the immediate recall of verbal memory, and the predictive power was not significant in the immediate recall of visuospatial memory. This result suggests that delayed recall of visuospatial memory and immediate recall of verbal memory are the best combinations to discriminate memory ability of MCI.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.25-36
• /
• 2000

Objectives : This study demonstrates the effects of Daejo-hwan on learning and memory impairment induced by L-NAME (75 mg/kg) treatment and on cerebral ischemic damage induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Methods : Daejo-hwan emulsion (73.3 mg/100 g/l ml) was administered to rats along a timed study schedule. The Moms water maze was used for learning and memory test of the rats. The MCA was occluded by using the intraluminal thread method. The brain slices were stained by 2 % triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 1 % cresyl violet solution. Infarct size, neuron cell number and size in penumbra was measured by using computer image analysis system. Results : 1. The escape latency of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 2.The memory score of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed increase tendency, And the swimming distance was not different between the normal, the control, and the Daejo-hwan treated group. 3. The infarct size of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 4. The total infarct volume of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed decrease tendency. And the brain edema index of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 5. The neuron cell number and cell size in penumbra of the Daejo-hwan treated group increased significantly with respect to the control group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is supposed that Daejo-hwan is clinically applicable to the vascular dementia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.298-304
• /
• 2016

Dianthus superbus (D. superbus) is a traditional crude drug used for the treatment of urethritis, carbuncles and carcinomas. The objective of this study was to confirm the cognitive enhancing effect of D. superbus in memory impairment induced mice and to elucidate the possible potential mechanism. Effect of D. superbus on scopolamine induced memory impairment on mice was evaluated using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. We also investigated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) expression in scopolamine-induced mice. HPLC-DAD analysis was performed to identify active compounds in D. superbus. The results revealed that D. superbus attenuated the learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine. D. superbus also inhibited AChE levels in the hippocampi of the scopolamine-injected mice. Moreover, D. superbus increased BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Eight compounds were identified using HPLC-DAD analysis. The content of 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid was higher than contents of other compounds. These results indicated that D. superbus improved memory functioning accompanied by inhibition of AChE and upregulation of BDNF, suggesting that D. superbus may be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.250-256
• /
• 2015

Background: It has been known that ginseng can be applied as a potential nutraceutical for memory impairment; however, experiments with animals of old age are few. Methods: To determine the memory enhancing effect of red ginseng, C57BL/6 mice (21 mo old) were given experimental diet pellets containing 0.12% red ginseng extract (approximately 200 mg/kg/d) for 3 mo. Young and old mice (4 mo and 21 mo old, respectively) were used as the control group. The effect of red ginseng, which ameliorated memory impairment in aged mice, was quantified using Y-maze test, novel objective test, and Morris water maze. Red ginseng ameliorated age-related declines in learning and memory in older mice. In addition, red ginseng's effect on the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and proinflammatory cytokines was investigated in the hippocampus of aged mice. Results: Red ginseng treatment suppressed the production of age-processed inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ expressions. Moreover, it was observed that red ginseng had an antioxidative effect on aged mice. The suppressed glutathione level in aged mice was restored with red ginseng treatment. The antioxidative-related enzymes Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased with red ginseng treatment. Conclusion: The results revealed that when red ginseng is administered over long periods, age-related decline of learning and memory is ameliorated through anti-inflammatory activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.471-476
• /
• 2006

Chongmyung-tang(CMT, 聰明湯), oriental herbal medicine which consists of Polygaglae Radix(遠志), Acori Graminei Rhizoma(石菖蒲) and Hoelen(白茯神) has effect on amnesia, dementia. In order to evaluate effect of CMT on memory and learning in mice, CMT extract was used for studies. This paper describes the effects of CMT extract on memory and learning processes by using the passive and active avoidance performance tests, novel object recognition task and water maze task. The CMT extract ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by ethanol in the passive avoidance responses but did not affect ambulatory activity of normal mice. These results suggest that CMT has an ameliorating effect on memory retrieval impairment. CMT extract decreased spontaneous motor activity(SMA) in the latter sessions of memory registration in active avoidance responses. These results suggest that CMT has partly transquilizing or antianxiety effects. In novel object recognition task to measure visual recognition memory, CMT-administered mice enhanced in long term memory for 1-3 days. In water maze task to measure spatial learning, which requires the activation of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus, spatial learning in CMT-administered mice was faster than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that CMT enhances memory and activates NMDA receptors.