The study of the protection of nimodipine on the cognitive function in diabetic rats

Objective To observe the protection of nimodipine on the cognitive function in diabetic rats.Methods 38 rats were divided into the normal control, diabetic model and nimodipine treatment groups randomly.Streptozotocin-diabetic rat model established were treated with nimodipine for 12 weeks.The learning and memory abilities of rats were tested with Morris water maze.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe synapse ultrastructure in hippocampal CA1 area.Results The mean time of escape latencies was significantly decreased,the percentage of time spent in the central area and the number of through the original platform position were significantly increased in nimodipine group than those in diabetic model group(all P0.05).Under electron microscope,hippocampal synapse structure in nimodipine group improved.Conclusions Nimodipine treatment may protect cognitive function in diabetic rats.