MEMORY ENHANCEMENT MEDIATED BY THE STEROID SULFATASE INHIBITOR (P-O-SULFAMOYL)-N-TETRADECANOYL TYRAMINE

The intent of this study was to determine whether altering the metabol ism of neurosteroids via blockade of the enzyme, steroid sulfatase, co uld enhance memory retention in rats. The steroid sulfatase inhibitor p-O-(sulfamoyl)-N-tetradecanoyl tyramine (DU-14) was administered alon e and in combination with the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulf ate (DHEAS) to rats which were then tested for the reversal of scopola mine-induced amnesia. A single 30 mg/kg IP dose of DU-14 produced a si gnificant inhibition of steroid sulfatase activity in both brain (14.8 %), and liver (85.2%) tissues, 24 hours following administration. In a passive avoidance test, DU-14 enhanced the reversal of amnesia by DHE AS. These results suggest that steroid sulfatase inhibition can potent iate the memory enhancing properties of DHEAS.