The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the behavior and the expression of choline acetyltransferase in dementia rats

Objective To study the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the behavior and the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in dementia rats.Methods The dementia rat models established by transecting bilateral fornix-fimbria were divided into three groups: the dementia treatment group, the dementia control group and the normal control group. Rats in dementia treatment group received intracerebroventricular infusion of IGF-1, ones in dementia control group received saline and ones in normal group were not be treated. The learning and memory abilities were measured by Morris water maze and Y-maze. The changes of ChAT levels in hippocampus and frontal lobe were detected by hybridization in situ and computerized image analysis.Results Learning and memory abilities were better, ChAT expressions increased in dementia treatment group than those of dementia control group (P0.01).Conclusions IGF-1 can improve the learning and memory abilities of the dementia rats and increase the density of ChAT.