Effects of an alpha7 nicotinic receptor agonist and stress on spatial memory in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.
The aim of the present study was to test the effects of PNU-282987 on spatial learning and memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in both intact and chronically stressed transgenic mice. Transgenic mice with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD) under immobilization stress and not-stressed animals receiving 0 and 1 mg/kg of PNU-282987 (PNU) were evaluated in a water maze task. The effects of PNU and stress on proliferation of new cells in the hippocampus of these animals were also assessed. The latency to escape the platform was significantly higher in transgenic stressed mice compared to those in the wild stressed group, as well as in transgenic animals without PNU compared to control wild group. On retention of the task, differences emerged on stressed wild animals, PNU wild group, and stressed wild mice receiving PNU. However, no significant differences were detected on new cell proliferation. The results of the present study did not show any impact of stress in acquisition of a spatial task both in wild and transgenic mice. No clear effects of PNU on acquisition of a spatial task in transgenic mice with susceptibility to AD were detected. Although PNU and stress effects were detected on retention of the task in wild animals, no changes were noted in transgenic mice.
Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain ; Research Center in Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain ; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain.
Paloma
P
Vicens
Diana
D
Ribes
Luis
L
Heredia
Margarita
M
Torrente
José L
JL
Domingo
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism
D001549:Benzamides; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; C498513:PNU-282987; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine