Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:45
Motor and Hippocampal Dependent Spatial Learning and Reference Memory Assessment in a Transgenic Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease with Stroke
Published on: March 22, 2016
Simvastatin impairs spatial memory in rats at a specific dose level
Sukrucan H Baytan1, Mehmet Alkanat, Mukadder Okuyan
1Department of Physiology, Medical School, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. cbaytan@gmail.com
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|April 29, 2008
Summary
Long-term simvastatin use in rats did not affect daily activity but impaired psychomotor performance and spatial memory at a 10 mg/kg/day dose. Higher doses showed no significant cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Statins, cholesterol synthesis inhibitors, are crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Emerging evidence suggests statins can influence cognitive functions.
- Simvastatin's effects on memory neurotransmitters and neuronal structures warrant further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term behavioral effects of simvastatin on daily activity, psychomotor performance, and spatial memory in Sprague-Dawley rats.
- To determine dose-dependent effects of simvastatin on cognitive and motor functions.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of simvastatin (10 or 30 mg/kg/day) or vehicle to rats for 4-6 weeks.
- Assessment of daily activity, psychomotor performance (rotarod test), and spatial memory (Barnes maze test).
Main Results:
- Simvastatin did not significantly alter daily activity levels compared to the vehicle group.
- Simvastatin treatment improved psychomotor performance, with treated rats staying longer on the rotarod.
- Spatial memory was impaired in rats receiving 10 mg/kg/day simvastatin but not at 30 mg/kg/day.
Conclusions:
- Long-term simvastatin administration has no significant impact on rat daily activity.
- Simvastatin appears to positively influence psychomotor performance at the tested doses.
- Low-dose simvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) impairs spatial memory, suggesting a potential dose-dependent neurocognitive side effect.
