EFFECT OF PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE ON SPATIAL LEARNING AND MEMORY IN RATS WITH VASCULAR DEMENTIA

Objection: To investigate the preventive effects of soybean phosphatidylcholine(PC)on spatial learning and memory deficits in rats with vascular dementia(VD).Methods: The rats were divided into three groups at random: sham-operated group,model group and soybean PC group.Models of VD were established by permanent occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries(2-VO methods),and subsequently all rats were tested in Morris water maze for 5 d.At the end of experiment,hippocampus of each rat was dissected and the brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) was tested using immunohisto-chemical method.Results: In VD rats fed with soybean PC for long time,the maze testing score was significantly improved.Immunohistochemical results showed that BDNF positive neurons in hippocampus were significantly increased and OD values reduced.Conclusion: Soybean phosphatidylcholin can prevent learning and memory impairment of cerebral blood flow in rats with VD.