title: Potential of ezetimibe in memory deficits associated with dementia of Alzheimer's type in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High cholesterol levels have been positively correlated with a higher incidence of memory impairment and dementia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken to investigate the potential of the lipid-lowering drug, ezetimibe, in memory deficits associated with dementia of Alzheimer's (AD) type in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dementia was induced with chronic administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) or intracebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV STZ, two doses of 3 mg/kg) in separate groups of animals. The memory of the animals was assessed by employing a Morris water maze. Brain thio barbituric acid-reactive species and reduced glutathione levels were measured to assess the total oxidative stress. Brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity and total serum cholesterol levels were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  STZ/HFD produced a significant impairment of memory along with an increase in brain AChE activity and oxidative stress. HFD mice also showed an increase in cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe (10 mg/kg, orally for 15 days) significantly attenuated STZ/HFD-induced memory deficits and biochemical changes. It also prevented HFD-induced rise in the cholesterol level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The memory-restorative effect of ezetimibe can be attributed to its cholesterol-dependent as well as cholesterol-independent effects. The study highlights the potential of ezetimibe in memory dysfunctions associated with dementia of AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab - 147 002, India.
authors.forename: Yogita
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dalla
authors.forename: Nirmal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Amteshwar Singh
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jaggi
authors.forename: Dhandeep
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghulati
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