Effects of PKA-CREB Signal Transduction System on Cognitive Impairment in Rats with Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Aim: To study the effects of PKA-CREB signal transduction system on cognitive impairment in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Methods: The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was made by permanent bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries, and the rats were randomly divided into sham control and ischemic groups. The spatial learning and memory function was tested with Morris water maze at the eighth week after the operation. The levels of PKAca and pCREB in hippocampus tissues of rats were measured by Western blotting. Results: The learning and memory ability in rats was significantly injured in the ischemic group. The levels of PKAca and pCREB in the ischemic group were lower than that in the sham control group. The protein levels PKAca and pCREB were positively correlated with learing and memory performance in Morris water maze test. Conclusion: The PKA-CREB signal transduction system may be involved in the spatial learning and memory function in the rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.