G-2452

impairment Effect of thiamine on scopolamin-induced spatial learning and memory in adult rats

 Alireza Abed ¹ ©, Hamid Reza Banafshe ², Seyyed Alireza Talaei ¹, Mohammad Shabani ³, Mitra Esmaeili ⁴ ℗, Zahra Amini ⁴   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that can affect thinking, memory, and behavior, and may even interfere with daily functioning. Medications including cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and aducanumab used for treating this disease are not without side effects. Therefore, the search for therapeutic supplements with beneficial effects and minimal side effects is ongoing. Previous studies have indicated that thiamine deficiency impacts memory function and neural activity, and its lack may produce Alzheimer-like effects. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of thiamine on learning and spatial memory impairment induced by scopolamine (as a model for Alzheimer-like states) in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten: the control group (normal saline and scopolamine) and three intervention groups (thiamine at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg with scopolamine). The rats were treated orally with thiamine and normal saline daily for fifteen days, and on the fifteenth day, they received scopolamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Then, the spatial memory of the rats was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test. In addition, the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and lipid peroxidation (MDA) of brain tissue were determined. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Administration of thiamine to scopolamine-treated rats showed a protective effect against spatial memory and learning impairment and significantly reduced the time spent to find the hidden platform (at 25 and 50 mg/kg doses) and the distance traveled to find the hidden platform (at 50 mg/kg dose) (P0.05). Thiamine administration to scopolamine-treated rats had no significant effect on the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and catalase, TAC, TOS, and MDA levels in brain tissue. Discussion and Conclusion: Thiamine showed a protective effect against spatial memory and learning impairment, but had no significant impact on oxidative stress parameters, which may indicate its effectiveness through mechanisms other than the reduction of oxidative stress. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that future research further investigate non-oxidative stress-related mechanisms as potential pathways for thiamine’s effect on cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s, thiamine, spatial memory, oxidative stress