The effect of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage on long-term learning and memory abilities and ultrastructure of hippocampal CAl neuron in neonatal rats

Objective To study the effects and mechanisms of hypoxic ischemic brain damage(HIBD)on long term learning and memory abilities and ultrastructure of hippocampal CAl neurons in neonatal rats.Methods 36 seven day old rats were randomly divided into the test group (n=21) and the control group (n=15).The test group was subjected to right common carotid artery ligation followed by exposure to 8% oxygen at 37℃ for 2h.When the rats were 80 days,they were given the Y maze test for learning and memory abilities;and the ultrastructure of hippocampal CAl neurons was studied by electron microscope.Results The learning and memory abilities of the hypoxic ischemic group were worse than those of the control(P0 01,P0 05,respectively).The nuclear membrane and mitochondria of hippocampal CAl neurons in the test group were distorted compared with those in the control group.Conclusion Hypoxic ischemic brain damage led to disorders of learning and memory in rats.It may be correlated with the changes of hippocampal CAl neurons resulting in the damage of synapse junctions and communication abilities.