Valproate improves memory deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model: investigation of possible mechanisms of action.

ABSTRACT: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a very common progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the learning and memory abilities in the brain. Key findings from recent studies of epigenetic mechanisms of memory suggest chromatin remodeling disorders via histone hypoacetylation of the lysine residue contribute to the cognitive impairment in AD. Therefore, the deinhibition of histone acetylation induced by histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors contributes to recovery of learning and memory. We show here that the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate (VPA) potently enhanced long-term recognition memory and spatial learning and memory in AD transgenic mice. Possible mechanisms showed VPA could significantly elevate histone acetylation through HDACs activity inhibition and increase plasticity-assoc

SUBMITTER: Yao ZG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11488907 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature