Huperzine A attenuates cognitive deficits and hippocampal neuronal damage after transient global ischemia in gerbils

The protective effects of huperzine A on transient global ischemia in gerbi ls were investigated. Five min of global ischemia in gerbils results in wor king memory impairments shown by increased escape latency in a water maze a nd reduced time spent in the target quadrant:. These signs of dysfunction a re accompanied by delayed degeneration of pyramidal hippocampal CA1 neurons and by decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus. Subch ronic oral administration of huperzineA(0.1 mg/kg,twice per day for 14 days ) after ischemia significantly reduced the memory impairment, reduced neuro nal degeneration in the CA1 region, and partially restored hippocampal chol ine acetyltransferase activity. The ability of huperzine A to attenuate mem ory deficits and neuronal damage after ischemia might be beneficial in cere brovascular type dementia. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.