EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM POTASSIUM-SULFATE ON LEARNING, MEMORY, AND CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM IN MICE

AIM: To study the relationship between aluminum potassium sulfate (APS ) and memory deficits of mice. METHODS: 30, 60, or 90 d after the mice were given daily APS ig, the step through latency (STL) was determine d with a passive avoidance task. Aluminum (Al) contents in brain and b lood were assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Acetylchol ine (ACh) content in brain was determined with chemiluminescent method and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was measured radiochemi cally, RESULTS: APS 1 g . kg(-1) increased blood-Al only after 30 d. A fter 60 d, STL, ACh content and ChAT activity decreased by 46.4%, 8.5% , and 22.6%, respectively. These parameters decreased by 50%, 11.1%, a nd 27.8%, respectively, with increased AZ in blood and brain, after 90 d. APS 0.25 g . kg(-1) had no effects on mice except blood-Al. In eth ylcholine mustard aziridium chloride (AF64A) treated mice, APS 1 g . k g(-1) only increased blood and brain-ill. CONCLUSION: The intake of AP S 1 g . kg(-1) . d(-1) for 60 d induced learning and memory deficits i n mice.