beta-Amyloid peptide (Abeta), the major constituent of the senile plaques observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, is cytotoxic to neurons and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Previous studies have suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the mechanisms of Abeta-induced neurotoxicity in vivo. Here, we used a mouse model of brain dysfunction induced by dl-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO: 3micromol/3microL/mouse, i.c.v.), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. In the novel object recognition test, we found impairments of exploratory preference in the retention trial but not the training trial 24h after BSO treatment, suggesting that BSO produces cognitive dysfunction in mice. In the forebrain of this model, we observed increase in carbonyl protein levels, an index of biochemical oxidative damage of proteins, compared to vehicle-treated mice. Pretreatment with ferulic acid (5mg/kg, s.c.) once a day for 6 days inhibited the induction of deficits in memory and increase in carbonyl protein levels by BSO. These findings suggest that pretreatment with FA may attenuate the memory deficits and increase the carbonyl protein levels induced by BSO in mice.