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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

The effect of nucleus basalis magnocellularis deep brain stimulation on memory function in a rat model of dementia

Authors: Ji Eun Lee, Da Un Jeong, Jihyeon Lee, Won Seok Chang, Jin Woo Chang

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Deep brain stimulation has recently been considered a potential therapy in improving memory function. It has been shown that a change of neurotransmitters has an effect on memory function. However, much about the exact underlying neural mechanism is not yet completely understood.
We therefore examined changes in neurotransmitter systems and spatial memory caused by stimulation of nucleus basalis magnocellularis in a rat model of dementia.

Methods

We divided rats into four groups: Normal, Lesion, Implantation, and Stimulation. We used 192 IgG-saporin for degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neuron related with learning and memory and it was injected into all rats except for the normal group. An electrode was ipsilaterally inserted in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis of all rats of the implantation and stimulation group, and the stimulation group received the electrical stimulation. Features were verified by the Morris water maze, immunochemistry and western blotting.

Results

All groups showed similar performances during Morris water maze training. During the probe trial, performance of the lesion and implantation group decreased. However, the stimulation group showed an equivalent performance to the normal group. In the lesion and implantation group, expression of glutamate acid decarboxylase65&67 decreased in the medial prefrontal cortex and expression of glutamate transporters increased in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, expression of the stimulation group showed similar levels as the normal group.

Conclusion

The results suggest that nucleus basalis magnocellularis stimulation enhances consolidation and retrieval of visuospatial memory related to changes of glutamate acid decarboxylase65&67 and glutamate transporter.
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Metadata
Title
The effect of nucleus basalis magnocellularis deep brain stimulation on memory function in a rat model of dementia
Authors
Ji Eun Lee
Da Un Jeong
Jihyeon Lee
Won Seok Chang
Jin Woo Chang
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-016-0529-z

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