Memory and Motor Coordination Improvement by Folic Acid Supplementation in Healthy Adult Male Rats

Objective(s)Previous studies have shown that vitamin B as well as folate supplementation has been implicated in cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's diseases. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of folic acid on passive avoidance task and motor coordination in healthy adult male rats.Materials and MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into five groups with ۱۰ in each. ۱) Sham treated (Veh); received same volume of normal saline as folate vehicle, ۲-۵) Test groups; each received a single dose of folate (۵, ۱۰ and ۱۵ mg/ml/kg, IP daily for one week). At the end of the treatment with folic acid or vehicle, motor coordination in rotarod (after ۲۴ hr) and passive avoidance memory in shuttle box (after ۲ and ۳۰ days) were evaluated, respectively.ResultsThe results showed that folic acid (۵, ۱۰, and ۱۵ mg/kg) increased short-term (P<۰.۰۵, P<۰.۰۰۱) memory while, long term memory affected significantly with doses ۱۰ and ۱۵ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۱, P<۰.۰۰۱). On the other hand, folic acid (۵ and ۱۰ mg/kg) had significant improving effect on motor coordination (P<۰.۰۰۱, P<۰.۰۱) but with ۱۵ mg/kg dose didn't have any effect on motor coordination.ConclusionOur results suggest that folic acid may improve both short- and long-term memories, dose dependently, although it affects motor balance at lower dose. The mechanism of folic acid effects on cognition and motor coordination is unknown and needs more investigations.

Keywords:

folic acid , Memory , Motor coordination , Rat