The study aimed to assess the effect of the polypeptide Y complex (Yolkin), isolated from chicken egg yolk, on behavioural and cognitive functions. It also aimed to compare this activity with colostrum-derived substances (Colostrinin, Coloco), which have a confirmed impact on learning and memory. In the study, the effect of Yolkin, administered to rats of different ages, who performed various tasks involving spatial and episodic memory, motor functions and exploratory behavior, was assessed. The experiment was carried out in rats which were 6 and 12 months old. Two different doses of the studied specimens based on previous comparative studies and two different routes of administration (oral and retroperitoneal) were used. A series of behavioural tests were carried out, including an open field test, a novel object recognition test and a Morris water maze. They were used to evaluate the impact of the studied specimen on improving locomotor function and exploratory behaviour, preventing their decline and assess the functioning of episodic and spatial memory in aging rats. The administration of Yolkin gave distinct effects compared to colostrum-derived substances, although confirmed its suggested pro-cognitive action. Therefore, it may be used to enhance cognitive functions and inhibit the progression of dementia in the course of neurodegenerative disorders.

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Background. The positive effect of human cystatin C on the development of Alzheimer's disease has been reported, as it inhibits the formation of β-amyloid oligomers and amyloidogenesis. Cystatin C has been found to have a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting cysteine proteases, inducing autophagy and neurogenesis. There is a growing interest in the procognitive properties of colostrum-based specimens, which could delay dementia and ameliorate memory deterioration.

Introduction: Increased occurrence of cognitive deficits in mild cognitive impairment is related with the phenomenon of aging within the population. Cystatin C has been associated with cysteine protease inhibiting properties as well as an induction of autophagy and proliferation that can potentially be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of cognitive decline. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ovocystatin, which is structurally and biologically similar to cystatin C, on cognitive functions in experimental young and aging rat models. Material/Methods: The young (four-month-old) and aging (ten-month-old) Wistar Crl: Wi (Han) rats received ovocystatin (i.p.) for 12 days at a dose of 200 and 20 μg/rat, respectively. Cognitive functions were determined using the Morris water maze. Results: Ovocystatin treatment at a dose of 200 μg/rat improved the performance of old rats in the Morris water maze test via increasing the spent time and the distance traveled in the target zone but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The results of the study highlight the important role cystatins play in neurodegenerative processes as well as the influence they have on cognitive functions. Furthermore, the obtained findings suggest ovocystatin may be used in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment or cognitive decline in dementia, but further morphological, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies are needed.

section, line 14 should read as ''Two different doses of the studied specimens based on previous comparative studies and two different routes of administration (oral and intraperitoneal) were used''. Under the Introduction heading, line 3 should read as ''Cognitive disorders affecting memory and learning abilities normally occur in the process of aging, mild cognitive impairment and in Alzheimer's disease (Lindeboom and Weinstein 2004; Pepeu 2004).'' Under the Introduction heading, line 32 should read as ''Positive results of preliminary clinical trials on patients with Alzheimer's disease, in which from a total of 15 patients receiving oral CLN at a dose of 100 lg, eight improved according to the MiniMental State Examination, while disease symptoms stabilized in the remaining seven patients (Leszek et al. 1999).'' The corrected Keywords section should read as follows: Keywords Immunomodulatory peptides Á Chicken egg yolk Á Colostrinin Á Coloco Á Learning Á Memory Á Dementia Á Age-related disorders Á Cognitive deficits Á Yolkin The online version of the original article can be found under

Despite the great intensity of studies to explain mechanisms of the Alzheimer’s disease, there’s still lack of effective prevention and treatment. As many specimens had been unadmitted because of their adverse side effects, thus recent attempts to follow natural biological protective mechanisms might open a range of possibilities in developing novel drugs to slow down processes of dementia and cognitive impairment. Promising results were achieved in patients treated with herbal agents, such as Gingko biloba extract, as well as animal derived preparations, i.a. PRP/Colostrinine (proline rich polipeptyde) complex isolated from ovine and bovine colostrum with confirmed immunomodulating properties and pro-cognitive action on memory and learning functions.The contribution of egg yolk (vitellus) ingredients to chicks development appeared similar to mammalian colostrum role in growth and immunity of newborns. Recently discovered polipeptyde complex associated with IgY, named Yolkine,has been put to the series of experiments in order to determine the effects of egg yolk preparations on cognitive functions in young and old rats as a model of cognitive decline and process of brain aging.To estimate Yolkine efficiency, different doses and routes of administration were applied, along with wide range of aging-sensitive behavioral tests, i.a. novel object recognition task and Morris water maze. The authors will present the results of the ongoing study and key findings.

Background The results obtained in the last decade suggest that cystatin C plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer´s disease (AD) by inhibiting the aggregation of β-amyloid and its deposition. Cystatin C also demonstrate protective role via inhibition of cysteine proteases or by induction of autophagy and induction of proliferation (1-3). Aims/Objectives The aim of the study concerns the influence of the ovocystatin derived from the new generation of eggs on cognitive decline in AD mice model. Methods Animals: Mice B6C3-Tg(APPswe,PSEN1dE9)85Dbo/Mmjax-Genotype HEMI and NCAR (The Jackson Laboratories). Specimen and administration: Ovocystatin [40μg/mouse] were administered with drinking water by 22 weeks. The placebo group received drinking water. The locomotor activity were tested by IR Actimeter. The evaluation of learning and memory was determined by Morris Water Maze test (MWM) (4). The study "Innovative technologies of bio-preparations' production on the base of new generation of eggs" was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Program Innovative Economy, 2007-2013. Results Mice from group with ovocystatin administration with drinking water have traveled statistically longer distance [D%] at Target quadrant than Placebo mice in MWM (p<0,05). Conclusion Ovocystatin given with drinking water has influence on learning and memory in HEMI group.