PROPENTOFYLLINE IMPROVES LEARNING AND MEMORY DEFICITS IN RATS INDUCEDBY BETA-AMYLOID PROTEIN-(1-40)

We have reported that continuous infusion of beta-amyloid protein-(1-4 0) into the cerebral ventricle produces learning and memory deficits i n rats. Propentofylline has potent stimulatory effects on nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis/secretion in mouse astrocytes in vitro and inc reases cerebral NGF content in aged rats. In the present study, we exa mined the effects of propentofylline on learning and memory deficits i n beta-amyloid protein-infused rats. The rats were given propentofylli ne orally once a day throughout the period of behavioral examination. In the beta-amyloid protein-infused rats, spontaneous alternation beha vior in a Y-maze, and performance in water maze and passive avoidance tasks were significantly impaired compared to sham-operated rats. Prop entofylline prevented these behavioral deficits, but did not change th e reduction of the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the hippoc ampus in the beta-amyloid protein-infused rats. These results suggest that propentofylline is useful for the treatment of patients with Alzh eimer's disease. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.