Lithium prevents scopolamine-induced memory impairment in zebrafish

Neurosci Lett. 2018 Jan 18:664:34-37. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.11.010. Epub 2017 Nov 7.

Abstract

We examined whether lithium carbonate (Li2CO3, 100mg/L) is able to prevent memory impairment induced by scopolamine. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of lithium on anxiety-like behavior and acetylcholinesterase activity in adult zebrafish. We demonstrated that lithium prevents the memory impairment induced by scopolamine, decreases exploration and increases the activity of acetylcholinesterase in zebrafish. Collectively, this contributes to a better understanding of the pharmacology of lithium, its interaction with cholinergic neurotransmission, and its possible application to therapeutic treatments aimed at improving cognition.

Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Alzheimer's disease; Anxiety; Cognition; Memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Lithium Carbonate / pharmacology
  • Lithium Carbonate / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects*
  • Maze Learning / physiology
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Memory Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Muscarinic Antagonists / toxicity
  • Scopolamine / toxicity*
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Muscarinic Antagonists
  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Scopolamine