The effect of caffeine on learning and memory following demyelination induction by lysolecithin in male rats

Caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist that has neuroprotective effect. The aim of this study is investigation of the caffeine effect on learning and memory impairment following intrahippocampal lysolecithin (LPC) injection. Methods and materials: Animals were divided into 3 groups، control، suffering group that 2µl lysolecithin was injected into their Dentate Gyrus (DG) area of hippocampus for demyelination induction and treatment group which received 30 mg/kg i. p. caffeine for 28 days after demyelination induction by lysolecithin. Subsequently، Behavioral study was performed by using Radial Arm Maze into 3 periods.

Lysolecithin has impaired the learning and spatial memory in rats. This impairment was noticeable on days 5th to 28th. Hence، food finding time has increased significantly compared to the control group. Caffeine injection for 14 and 28 days has recovered learning and memory.

The results of this study suggest that the chronic treatment with caffeine can improve memory in neurological disorders following demyelination.