Nicotinamide mononucleotide attenuates cognitive impairment and improves mitochondrial function in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in aged rats

Background and Aim : Given the fact that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) acts as a pleiotropic agent in various age-related cognitive disorders, we aimed to investigate the effect of NMN on the cognitive outcomes and mitochondrial function in aged rats.Methods : Twenty old and ten young (24 and 3 months old, respectively) male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups: Young+Normal saline (NS), Aged+NS, and Aged+NMN. NMN (100 mg/kg) was administered for 28 every other day in aged animals. We evaluated spatial memory and recognition with Barnes maze and novel object recognition tests. Alterations in mitochondrial function including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP levels as well as mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed in both prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP) regions.Results : Behavioral results revealed that NMN treatment alleviated aging-induced memory impairment and diminished mitochondrial dysfunction both in PFC and HIP regions.Conclusion : Our results indicated that NMN treatment could induce neuroprotective effects and improve learning and memory in aged animals.

Keywords:

Aging , Nicotinamide mononucleotide , Learning and Memory , Mitochondrial dysfunction