Tetramethylpyrazine protects against scopolamine-induced memory impairments in rats by reversing the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway

Behav Brain Res. 2013 Sep 15:253:212-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.07.052. Epub 2013 Aug 2.

Abstract

Tetramethylpyrazine is used in the treatment of many neurological diseases because of its neuroprotective effect. Here, we demonstrate that administration of tetramethylpyrazine effectively reverses memory deficits induced by scopolamine. Moreover, tetramethylpyrazine preserves postsynaptic protein synthesis and restores cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway signaling deficits. Our study not only explores the actions of tetramethylpyrazine on synapses, but also provides novel evidence for the possible therapeutic use of tetramethylpyrazine in dementia.

Keywords: Memory; Scopolamine; Synapse; Tetramethylpyrazine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP / biosynthesis
  • Cyclic AMP / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP / physiology*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / biosynthesis
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / drug effects*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / drug effects*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Memory Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Muscarinic Antagonists*
  • Neuroprotective Agents*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology*
  • RNA / biosynthesis
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / isolation & purification
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Scopolamine*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins
  • Muscarinic Antagonists
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Pyrazines
  • RNA
  • Scopolamine
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • tetramethylpyrazine