Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in the rat enhances age-related deficits in spatial memory

Ten-week old rats were subjected to chronic mild hypoperfusion by a permanent bilateral ligation of common carotid arteries (2VO). Animals were repeatedly tested in 8-arm radial maze at 1 week, 3, 10 and 16 months after the surgery to investigate long term effects of 2VO on spatial learning and memory. Occluded rats showed initially mild deficits in reference (RM) and working (WM) memory that were progressing with time and reached level of marked differences 16 months after the surgery. Advanced age significantly influenced cognitive function in both groups but the observed deterioration was more pronounced in 2VO animals. We suggest that the long-lasting reduction of cerebral blood flow combined with ageing can result in the enhanced cognitive impairment of aged individuals.