The Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Spatial Learning and Memory in Adult Male Rats Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Background and Objective: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the brain and a structural component of neuronal membranes. The present study aimed to examine the effect of DHA on spatial learning and memory in an electrical obliteration of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) model of Alzheimerchr('۳۹')s disease. Materials and Methods: In this study ۵۶ adult male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: control, lesion (which received bilateral electrical lesions of the NBM), sham (the electrode was entered into the NBM with no lesion), lesion + DHA (۰.۱, ۱, ۲.۵ and ۵ mg/kg; ip) and Vehicle (lesion + Sesame Oil ۰.۲mL). After one week, the rats were trained to perform the Y-maze task for five days. Twenty-five days after training, a retention test was performed to determine long-term memory. Results: Bilateral NBM lesion reduced spatial learning in comparison with control and sham groups (P<۰.۰۰۱). No effect on spatial learning was seen in the vehicle group compared with the lesion group. Treatment with DHA in the following groups; lesion + DHA ۱mg/kg (P<۰.۰۵), lesion + DHA ۲.۵mg/kg (P<۰.۰۱), lesion + DHA ۵mg/kg (P<۰.۰۱), significantly improved spatial learning. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the results on the ۵th day of training and memory retention on the ۳۰th day. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it can be concluded that Docosahexaenoic acid improves spatial learning defects in an electrical lesion of NBM model of Alzheimerchr('۳۹')s disease in a dose-dependent manner.

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Keywords: Docosahexaenoic acid , Spatial learning , Nucleus basalis of magnocellularis , Alzheimer’s disease