1 Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China 
2 Department of Neurobiology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China

Abstract 

Objective 
To investigate whether estrogen modulates learning and memory and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 
Methods 
The rats were divided into ovariectomy (OVX) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) groups. Rats in the ERT group received OVX, followed by ERT, while rats in the OVX group received only OVX. The rat model of AD was established by injection of 1 μL (10 μg/μL) amyloid-beta peptide 1-40(Aβ1-40) into the hippocampus. The learning and memory ability and LTP were determined by Morris water maze and electrophysiological method, respectively. 
Results 
The escape latency in Morris water maze significantly decreased in ERT group compared with that in OVX group (P < 0.05). Besides, rats in ERT group exhibited a significant enhancement of the magnitude of LTP at 30 min after high-frequency stimulation (HFS), compared with that in OVX group (P < 0.01). 
Conclusion 
ERT can attenuate the cognitive deficits in the rat model of AD, and estrogen can regulate LTP and synaptic remodeling in AD rats.

Keywords

estradiol; long-term potentiation; learning and memory; rat; Alzheimer’s disease

[SpringerLink]