Electroacupuncture decreases cognitive impairment and promotes neurogenesis in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Abstract

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation would improve cognitive function and the pathological features of AD in amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice.MethodsCognitive function of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice was assessed using the Morris water maze test before and after EA treatment. Levels of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) deposits in the hippocampus and cortex were evaluated by immunofluorescence, western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was also examined by immunofluorescence and western blot. The neurogenesis was labeled by the DNA marker bromodeoxyuridine.ResultsEA stimulation significantly ameliorated the learning and memory deficits of AD mice by shortening escape latency and increasing the time spent in the target zone during the probe test. Additionally, decreased Aβ deposits and increased BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the hippocampus and cortex of EA-treated AD mice were detected. The same change was detected in wild-type mice after EA treatment compared with wild-type mice without EA treatment.ConclusionsRepeated EA stimulation may improve cognitive function, attenuate Aβ deposits, up-regulate the expression of BDNF and promote neurogenesis in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. This suggests that EA may be a promising treatment for AD.

Standardized Herbal Formula PM012 Decreases Cognitive Impairment and Promotes Neurogenesis in the 3xTg AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The cause of dementia generally involves primary neurodegenerative disorders, with the most common being Alzheimer's disease (AD) [1]. The global prevalence of dementia was approximately 24.2 million, and approximately 70 % of these cases were attributed to AD [2,3]. Unfortunately, there are limited treatments for the large population of patients suffering from AD.…”

The Coumarin Derivative Osthole Stimulates Adult Neural Stem Cells, Promotes Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus, and Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice

“…Cognitive impairment first appears in 7-month-old Tg mice, and Aβ deposits in the hippocampus and cortex could be detected in 10-month-old Tg mice. 48,49) In the present study, Tg mice at age of 9 months were used and randomly divided into two groups: an Ost-treated group (Tg+Ost), were intragastrically (i.g.) treated with Ost (20 mg/kg, dissolved in 0.05%CMC-Na) daily for 6 weeks; an control group (Tg), were given 0.05% CMC-Na i.g.…”

“…47,49,50) The apparatus consisted of a circular pool (120 cm diameter ×60 cm height) with a black inner wall, which was subdivided into four equal quadrants and filled with water (25°C) to the depth of 30 cm. An escape platform (10 cm diameter) was placed in one of the quadrants (the target quadrant) and submerged approximately 2 cm below the surface of the water.…”

“…investigate the effects of Ost on cognitive function of Tg mice, hippocampus-dependent learning and memory was analyzed using Morris water maze test after a six-week treatment with Ost. 49,50) Spatial learning was expressed as the latency of time spent on finding the escape platform in the water maze. 47) Significant differences among the three groups were observed (Figs.…”

Rhodiola rosea L extract shows protective activity against Alzheimer’s disease in 3xTg-AD mice

“…Rhodiola rosea L. extract has been reported to have anti-oxidant [8], immunomodulatory [9], and anti-mutagenic activity [10]. In this study, we investigated to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of RRLE on learning and memory deficits in a tripletransgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD), which expresses APP Swe , PS1 M146V , and tau P301L [11].…”