• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2009

Forsythiaside is a polyphenolic constituent of the fruits of Forsythia suspense Vahl which are widely used as anti-inflammatory herbal raw materials in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the authors assessed the effects of forsythiaside on learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine using a passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tests in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by scopolamine treatment (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Forsythiaside (10 mg/kg, p.o) administration significantly prevented scopolamine-induced step-through latency reduction in the passive avoidance test and scopolamine-induced increased escape latency in the Morris water maze test (p<0.05). Moreover, in an ex-vivo study, forsythiaside treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o) significantly reduced the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels induced by scopolamine (p<0.05). Taken together, the present study suggests that forsythiaside could be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, and that its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by its antioxidative properties.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제42권1호
• /
• pp.27-31
• /
• 2011

The ameliorating effect of the saponin rich fraction (SRF) prepared from the roots extract of Platycodon grandiflorum (Campanulaceae) on the scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice were investigated by way of Moris water maze task. The mice with repeated oral administration of the SRF for four weeks showed markedly reduced the swimming time and swimming distance to reach the platform as well as the increase of number of crossing the platform on the Moris water maze task performed after scopolamine intoxication. The results suggest that SRF obtained from the roots extract of P. grandiflorum exert a cognitive enhancing effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제38권1호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2014

Background: Although ginsenosides such as Rg1, Rb1 and Rg3 have shown promise as potential nutraceuticals for cognitive impairment, their use has been limited due to high production cost and low potency. In particular, the process of extracting pure Rg3 from ginseng is laborious and expensive. Methods: We described the methods in preparing ginseol k-g3, an Rg3-enriched fraction, and evaluated its effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Results: Ginseol k-g3 (25-200 mg/kg) significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in the passive avoidance, but not in Y-maze testing. Ginseol k-g3 (50 and 200 mg/kg) improved escape latency in training trials and increased swimming times within the target zone of the Morris water maze. The effect of ginseol k-g3 on the water maze task was more potent than that of Rg3 or Red ginseng. Acute or subchronic (6 d) treatment of ginseol k-g3 did not alter normal locomotor activity of mice in an open field. Ginseol k-g3 did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, unlike donezepil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Rg3 enrichment through the ginseol k-g3 fraction enhanced the efficacy of Rg3 in scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice as demonstrated in the Morris water maze task. Conclusion: The effects of ginseol k-g3 in ameliorating scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests indicate its specific influence on reference or long-term memory. The mechanism underlying the reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia by ginseol k-g3 is not yet known, but is not related to anticholinesterase-like activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 1983

This study was performed to investigate the influence of the amino acid composition of diet and environment on RNA, protein content in brain and learning ability in rats. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into six groups according to type of diet, casein, soybean meal, or corn gluten and rearing condition, isolated or enriched. They were fed foods ad libitum for 6 weeks. A water maze was used to test behavioral performance for 3 weeks from 4th week. The rats were sacrificed at 6th week and their whole brains were taken and frozen for assay of RNA and protein. The results were summarized as follows : 1) The body weight gain for the experimental periods of corn gluten group was significantly lower than the casein and the soybean meal group. 2) The brain weight of the corn gluten group was significantly lower than the casein and the soybean meal group and the environmental enrichment slightly increased it among rats fed the corn gluten diet. 3) The total RNA contents were the greatest in the environmentally enriched casein group. The brain protein contents of the isolated corngluten group was the smallest. However, the contents of the enriched corn gluten group were similar to those of the others. 4) In the water maze test, the isolated corngluten group spent significantly more time than the others. Environmental enrichment could decrease time to perform the task of the maze.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
• /
• 제10권2호
• /
• pp.105-113
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Sunhyangjungkisan on the learning and memory ability in rats. For this purpose we have evoked cerebral dysfunction in rats with NOS inhibitor and then performed the Morris water maze task for each rat. We have found that Sunghyangjungkisan have some improving effedts on impaired learning and memort ability in the NOS inhibitor treated rat. In these improving effects, memory effect was more evident then learning effect. This result implies that Sunghyangjungkisan may be one of useful prescriptions for treatment of vascular dementia after cerebral ischemia.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국HCI학회 2008년도 학술대회 2부
• /
• pp.507-512
• /
• 2008

본 연구는 경도인지장애(MCI)환자의 가상환경(VE)내 길찾기 학습능력을 측정하였으며, 전통 신경심리검사를 이용하여 길찾기 능력을 구성하는 인지기능에 대해 조사하였다. 피험자는 정상노인집단(N=27)과 MCI 환자집단(N=22)으로 구성되었다. 피험자는 간이정신집단검사, 시각 기억력을 측정하는 Rey Complex Figure Test(RCFT), 시각적 보존력을 측정하는 Benton Visual Retention(BVRT), 주의력을 측정하는 Trail-Making Test(TMT; A형과 B형), 성인용 웩슬러 지능검사의 하위검사인 숫자외우기(바로/거꾸로), 및 집행기능 및 기억력을 측정하는 2차원공간에서의 미로학습검사 Groton Maze Learning Test(GMLT)(12회기)를 마친 후, 가상현실(VE) 내 길찾기과제(6회기)를 수행하였다. 그 결과, VE 길찾기 과제에 대하여 유의미한 집단효과가 나타났다. 즉, MCI집단의 길찾기 수행이 정상노인집단의 길찾기 수행보다 떨어지는 결과가 발견되었다. 집단과 회기간 상호작용 및 유의미한 회기효과는 나타나지 않았다. GMLT에서는 유의미한 상호작용, 집단효과, 및 회기효과가 나타나지 않았다. 신경심리검사에서는 RCFT와 BVRT에서 유의미한 집단간 차이가 발견되었다. 또한, VE과제는 RCFT, BVRT, 그리고 GMLT와 상관이 있었으며, 이를 기반으로한 회기분석 실시 결과 RCFT와 BVRT는 가상환경 내 길찾기 행동에 대한 45%의 설명력을 지니고 있었다. 결론적으로, 본 연구결과는 MCI환자의 길찾기 능력이 정상인에 비하여 떨어지며, MCI환자의 시공간기억기능 결함으로 이와 같은 길찾기 능력저하를 설명할 수 있음을 함의한다.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제28권2호통권70호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2007

Objective : Gagamchongmyung-tang is clinically one of the most popular prescriptions as an herbal medicine for the treatment of amnesia. In order to evaluate its neuroprotective effects on the ischemia-induced cognitive deficits caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), we examined its ability to reduce impairments of learning and memory of rats in the Morris water maze. Method and Result : Focal cerebral ischemia produced a decrease in acetylcholine transmission in the hippocampus, and deficits of learning and memory in the Morris water maze task. Treatment with two types of Gagamchongmyung-tang, methanol and water extracts, produced a substantial increase in acquisition in the Morris water maze. Treatment with methanol extract of Gagamchongmyung-tang increased the performance of the retention test in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, immunohistochemical data showed that treatment with methanol extract, but not water extract, of Gagamchongmyung-tang significantly recovered reduction of AchE and ChAT reactivity in the hippocampal CAl area. Conclusion : These results demonstrated that methanol extract of Gagamchongmyung-tang has protective effects against ischemia-induced learning and memory impairments, and provided evidence of methanol extract of Gagamchongmyung-tang as a putative treatment for amnesia, vascular dementia, and longer memory.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.691-696
• /
• 2011

In order to the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA), the present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture inacupoint ST36 (Stomach 36) on trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced cognitive impairments rat using the Morris water maze (MWM) task and immunohistochemistry staining. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: naive rat (Normal), TMT injection rat (Control), TMT injection + EA treated rat inacupoint ST36 (ST36) and TMT injection + EA treated rat in non-acupoint, base of tail (Non-AC). Electroacupuncture (2Hz, 2mA, and 10 minutes)was applied either to the acupuncture point ST36 or the nonacupuncture point in the tail for the last 14 days. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 4d and then received 60s probe trial on the $5^{th}$ day following removal of platform from the pool. Rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 (P<0.05) produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform after $2^{nd}$ day and retention trial in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 also significantly increased expression of Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus compared to the Control group. These results demonstrated that EA in acupoint ST36 has a protective effect against TMT-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggests that EA in acupoint ST36 might be useful in the treatment of TMT-induced learning and memory deficit.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제2권1호
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 1998

The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are regarded as the highest-order association cortices. The hippocampus has been proposed to store "cognitive maps" of external environments, and the prefrontal cortex is known to be involved in the planning of behavior, among other functions. Considering the prominent functional roles played by these structures, it is not surprising to find direct monosynaptic projections from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex. Rhythmic stimulation of this projection patterned after the hippocampal EEG theta rhythm induced stable long-term potentiation of field potentials in the prefrontal cortex. Comparison of behavioral correlates of hippocampal and prefrontal cortical neurons during an a-arm radial maze, working memory task shows a striking contrast. Hippocampal neurons exhibit clear place-specific firing patterns, whereas prefrontal cortical neurons do not show spatial selectivity, but are correlated to different stages of the behavioral task. These data lead to the hypothesis that the role of hippocampal projection to the prefrontal cortex is not to impose spatial representations upon prefrontal activity, but to provide a mechanism for learning the spatial context in which particular behaviors are appropriate.propriate.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.249-258
• /
• 2017

To examine the effect of biflorin, a component of Syzygium aromaticum, on memory deficit, we introduced a scopolamine-induced cognitive deficit mouse model. A single administration of biflorin increased latency time in the passive avoidance task, ameliorated alternation behavior in the Y-maze, and increased exploration time in the Morris water maze task, indicating the improvement of cognitive behaviors against cholinergic dysfunction. The biflorin-induced reverse of latency in the scopolamine-treated group was attenuated by MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist. Biflorin also enhanced cognitive function in a naïve mouse model. To understand the mechanism of biflorin for memory amelioration, we performed Western blot. Biflorin increased the activation of protein kinase C-${\zeta}$ and its downstream signaling molecules in the hippocampus. These results suggest that biflorin ameliorates drug-induced memory impairment by modulation of protein kinase C-${\zeta}$ signaling in mice, implying that biflorin could function as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of cognitive problems.