Effects of donepezil on spatial learning and memory capacity of chronic epilepsy rats kindled by pentylenetetrazole

Objective To explore the effect of donepezil (Done) on spatial learning and memory capacity of chronic epilepsy model. Methods Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 2 groups: control group (n=18), rats of which received intraperitoneal injections of 0.9% saline, and model group (n=72), rats of which were injected intraperitoneally with PTZ (35 mg·kg-1·d-1 in 0.9% saline) for 21 days. After completely kindled, the rats in model group were randomly divided into 4 groups: PTZ,0.3 mg/kg Done, 1 mg/kg Done, 3 mg/kg Done. Done was orally administered for 21 d in the three Done groups, while PTZ was applied continuously in all four groups. After the last application of Done, cognitive function was tested by Morris water maze and step-down test. Results Morris water maze test results showed the escape latency was longer and total swimming times in platform quadrant as well as crossing times were less in PTZ group than in control group (P0.05). We obtained similar results in the step-down test. There were significant differences in the results of the water maze test and step-down test between 1 mg/kg Done group and control group (P0.05), between 3 mg/kg Done group and control group (P0.05), but no differences between 0.3 mg/kg Done and control group (P0.05), or between 1 mg/kg Done group and 3 mg/kg Done group (P0.05). Conclusion PTZ kindled rats are cognition-impaired. Donepezil can improve spatial learning capacity partially and elevate spatial memory capacity significantly in a dose-effect relationship, thus boost the cognitive function of chronic epilepsy rats.