%0 Journal Article %J J Alzheimers Dis %D 2018 %T Gradual Cerebral Hypoperfusion Impairs Fear Conditioning and Object Recognition Learning and Memory in Mice: Potential Roles of Neurodegeneration and Cholinergic Dysfunction. %A Mehla, Jogender %A Lacoursiere, Sean %A Stuart, Emily %A McDonald, Robert J %A Mohajerani, Majid H %K Animals %K Brain %K Carotid Stenosis %K Cerebrovascular Circulation %K Choline O-Acetyltransferase %K Conditioning (Psychology) %K Disease Models, Animal %K Fear %K Fluoresceins %K Learning Disorders %K Male %K Mice %K Mice, Inbred C57BL %K Phosphopyruvate Hydratase %K Postural Balance %K Recognition (Psychology) %X

In the present study, male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to gradual cerebral hypoperfusion by implanting an ameroid constrictor (AC) on the left common carotid artery (CCA) and a stenosis on the right CCA. In the sham group, all surgical procedures were kept the same except no AC was implanted and stenosis was not performed. One month following the surgical procedures, fear conditioning and object recognition tests were conducted to evaluate learning and memory functions and motor functions were assessed using a balance beam test. At the experimental endpoint, mice were perfused and brains were collected for immunostaining and histology. Learning and memory as well as motor functions were significantly impaired in the hypoperfusion group. The immunoreactivity to choline acetyltransferase was decreased in dorsal striatum and basal forebrain of the hypoperfusion group indicating that cholinergic tone in these brain regions was compromised. In addition, an increased number of Fluoro-Jade positive neurons was also found in cerebral cortex, dorsal striatum and hippocampus indicating neurodegeneration in these brain regions. Based on this pattern of data, we argued that this mouse model would be a useful tool to investigate the therapeutic interventions for the treatment of vascular dementia. Additionally, this model could be employed to exploit the effect of microvascular occlusions on cognitive impairment in the absence and presence of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

%B J Alzheimers Dis %V 61 %P 283-293 %8 2018 %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29154281?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3233/JAD-170635 %0 Journal Article %J J Alzheimers Dis %D 2016 %T Salidroside, a Bioactive Compound of Rhodiola Rosea, Ameliorates Memory and Emotional Behavior in Adult Mice. %A Palmeri, Agostino %A Mammana, Leonardo %A Tropea, Maria Rosaria %A Gulisano, Walter %A Puzzo, Daniela %K Animals %K Anti-Anxiety Agents %K Antidepressive Agents %K Anxiety Disorders %K Conditioning (Psychology) %K Depressive Disorder %K Disease Models, Animal %K Drug Evaluation, Preclinical %K Exploratory Behavior %K Fear %K Female %K Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic %K Glucosides %K Male %K Maze Learning %K Memory %K Mice, Inbred C57BL %K Motor Activity %K Nootropic Agents %K Phenols %K Phytotherapy %K Plant Extracts %K Rhodiola %X

Rhodiola Rosea (R. Rosea) is a plant used in traditional popular medicine to enhance cognition and physical performance. R. Rosea medicinal properties have been related to its capability to act as an adaptogen, i.e., a substance able to increase the organism's resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors in a non-specific way. These adaptogen properties have been mainly attributed to the glycoside salidroside, one of the bioactive compounds present in the standardized extracts of R. Rosea. Here, we aimed to investigate whether a single dose of salidroside is able to affect memory and emotional behavior in wild type adult mice. We performed fear conditioning to assess cued and contextual memory, elevated plus maze and open field to evaluate anxiety, and tail suspension test to evaluate depression. Our results showed that a single i.p. administration of salidroside was able to enhance fear memory and exerted an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect. These data confirmed the adaptogenic effect of R. Rosea bioactive compounds in animal models and suggest that salidroside might represent an interesting pharmacological tool to ameliorate cognition and counteract mood disorders.

%B J Alzheimers Dis %V 52 %P 65-75 %8 2016 02 26 %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26967223?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3233/JAD-151159