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Background and aim: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that can cause memory loss, personality changes and unusual behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ampakine Farampator on impairment of working memory in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.
Methods: Forty male Wistar rat (250-300g) were randomly divided into five experimental groups including: Group 1: Sham/control (intra-hippocampal microinjection of phosphate buffer solution (PBS)/1μl); Group 2: Rat model of Alzheimer's disease (intra-hippocampal microinjection of 4μg/1μl amyloid beta 1-42), Groups 3 & 4: Rat model of Alzheimer's disease + Farampator (30 and 300 µg/kg/by oral gavage/ twice per day); Group 5: Rat model of Alzheimer's disease + Farampator vehicle (saline/ by oral gavage / twice per day). Y-maze spontaneous alternation test was used to evaluate the working memory.
Results: Intra-hippocampal injection of amyloid beta 1-42 caused significant defects in working memory in rat model of Alzheimer's disease (p < 0.01). Farampator 300 µg/kg significantly improved working memory task in rat model of Alzheimer's disease (p < 0.05). Farampator 30 µg/kg had no significant effect on working memory impairment in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusion: Ampakine farampator can improve the working memory defect in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.
 

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Background and aims: Recent studies have shown Cinnamomum zeylanicum antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities, and inhibition of tau accumulation and Amyloid beta (Aβ)   aggregation. Therefore, it seems that this plant can improve cognition in rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For this purpose, the ability of an aqueous extract of cinnamon in attenuating Aβ-induced learning impairment was evaluated in a rat model of AD.
Methods: Aβ-protein fragment 25-35 was injected into the CA1 region of rats’ hippocampus and the effect of different doses of cinnamon extract (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) on cognitive function was assessed in the Morris water maze. Animals were subjected to 5 days of training; 4 days with the invisible platform to test spatial learning and the 5th day with the visible platform to test motivation and sensorimotor coordination.
Results: The results showed an significant increase in escape latency, traveled distance, orientation angle and decrease in target quadrant entries in Aβ-received rats. Cinnamon extract was able to significantly reduce the effect of Aβ.
Conclusion: The results indicates learning and memory impairment in Aβ_25-35 groups. These impairments were reversed by administration of Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract. Our results suggest that cinnamon may be a valuable agent for alleviating symptoms of Aβ.