Lithium chloride ameliorates learning and memory ability and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta activity in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome

作者：Chen, Shengqiang; Luo, Xuegang; Yang, Quan; Sun, Weiwen; Cao, Kaiyi; Chen, Xi; Huang, Yueling; Dai, Lijun; Yi, Yonghong^*

来源：Neural Regeneration Research, 2011, 6(31): 2452-2459.

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2011.31.010

• fragile X syndrome
• Fmr1 knockout mice
• step-down test
• step-through test
• learning and memory
• glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta
• lithium chloride

In the present study, Fmr1 knockout mice (KO mice) were used as the model for fragile X syndrome. The results of step-through and step-down tests demonstrated that Fmr1 KO mice had shorter latencies and more error counts, indicating a learning and memory disorder. After treatment with 30, 60, 90, 120, or 200 mg/kg lithium chloride, the learning and memory abilities of the Fmr1 KO mice were significantly ameliorated, in particular, the 200 mg/kg lithium chloride treatment had the most significant effect. Western blot analysis showed that lithium chloride significantly enhanced the expression of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, an inactive form of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the Fmr1 KO mice. These results indicated that lithium chloride improved learning and memory in the Fmr1 KO mice, possibly by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta activity.

• 出版日期2011-12-15
• 单位中南大学; 广州医科大学