Effects of Nano-Curcumin on Noise Stress-Induced Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Impairment: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Aspects Publisher Pubmed



Alinaghipour A^{1, 2} ; Ashabi G^{1, 2} ; Riahi E^{1, 2} ; Soheili M³ ; Salami M³ ; Nabavizadeh F^{1, 2} Show Affiliations
Source: Pharmacological Reports Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Noise pollution is one of the fundamental factors in the etiology of many disorders. Noise stress adversely affects cognitive behaviors and long-term potentiation (LTP), the candidate mechanism of learning and memory. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of nano-curcumin on behavioral and electrophysiological aspects of hippocampus-dependent memory in noise-exposed animals. Methods: The stressed animals received either vehicle (ST) or nano-curcumin (NANO + ST) for 2 weeks. The control groups remained either intact (CON) or received nano-curcumin (NANO + CON). The ST and NANO + ST groups were exposed to daily noise for 2 weeks. The spatial memory was assessed in the Morris water maze. The LTP was investigated through field potential recording in the CA3–CA1 pathway of the hippocampus. Serum corticosterone level was measured at the end of the experiments. Results: The ST group showed a lower cognitive function and suppressed LTP compared to the CON group. The nano-curcumin treatment improved the maze navigation and LTP induction compared to the ST group. While the stress exposure elevated the serum level of corticosterone in the ST animals, nano-curcumin treatment reduced it. Conclusions: The nano-curcumin treatment restores impaired behavioral and electrophysiological aspects of learning and memory in the noise-exposed animals. The plasma corticosterone levels may be associated with changes in cognitive behavior and synaptic plasticity. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.