Effect of Neuronal calcium channel blocker, Ziconotide on memory function in rats

Background and Aim : Unlike other types of calcium channel blockers (L / T-type), there is no clear study on the neuroprotective behavioral effects of ziconotide, including memory and cognitive function in animal and human. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ziconotide as a neuronal calcium channel blocker on memory in ratsMethods : Male rats weighing 200-250 g were used in this study. Ziconotide was administered [i.c.v. (intracerebroventricular), single and chronic doses (at 3 doses, once daily during 1 week)] in animals undergoing stereotaxic surgery. Novel object recognition task (NORT) was used to assess cognitive memory and passive avoidance test (PAT) was performed to assess conditional memory in ratsResults : Recognition index (RI) in the groups receiving chronic doses of ziconotide (0.1, 0.3 and 1 μg / rat) was significantly higher than control group (P < 0/05). In PAT test, latency time (time lapse before the first entry into the dark compartment) in rats treated with all chronic doses of this drug significantly was higher than the control group (P < 0/05). Acute administration of ziconotide at the dose level of 1μg/rat did not show any significant changes in any above parameters.Conclusion : Calcium accumulation in neurons can be initiate biochemical cascade and lead to neuronal death including cells involved in memory function in the hippocampus and the anterior cortex. So it looks like that ziconotide blocks calcium channels and prevent the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g. Glutamate) in the brain and enhances memory function in rats.

کلیدواژه ها:

ziconotide ، memory ، calcium channel ، rat