The short-term influence of b-FGF, NGF and Cerebrolysin^® on the memory impaired after fimbria-fornix lesion

Abstract

Neurotrophic factors were shown to prevent degeneration and to facilitate regeneration in damaged CNS. In an attempt to compare the effect of b-FGF, NGF and the nootropic drug Cerebrolysin^® (Cer) (EBEWE Arzneimittel), naive 3-month-old rats (Long Evans strain) were trained to escape from water in the Morris pool to a hidden platform (3 consecutive days; D1, D2, D3; 8 trials/day). Next day, fimbria-fornix (FF) was unilaterally removed by suction. A needle connected to a micro-osmotic pump filled by b-FGF (0.2μg/ml) or NGF (11μg/m1 or 0.5μg/) was placed into the lateral ventricle ipsilateral to the lesion., Cer was applied via intraperitoneal injection (2.5m1/kg/day). One group was treated by Cer and NGF (11μg/m1)(group NGFCER). As control groups served intact (INT) and lesioned only rats (LES). After the 14-daytreatment (D19) rats were tested for their ability to remember the position of the platform. During the next 3 days (D20, D21, D22) rats were trained to find the platform placed in a opposite quadrant of the pool. The length of trajectory and escape latency were recorded and speed of swimming was calculated.