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Lithium enhances cortical mRNA expression in ovariectomized C57BL/6J mice
James J Valdes1, Franchesca M Ramirez, Barbara Juarez
1Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Florida, USA.
Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
|September 28, 2010
Summary
Lithium treatment in ovariectomized mice enhanced specific cortical gene expression related to neuroprotection, learning, and memory. This suggests lithium
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The hippocampus and cortex are crucial for learning and memory.
- Estrogen and lithium influence similar molecular pathways in memory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if lithium treatment enhances neuroprotective and memory-related genetic factors in the brain of ovariectomized mice.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral ovariectomy (bOVX) was performed on C57BL/6J mice.
- Mice were treated with 14.2 mM LiCl in drinking water for one month.
Main Results:
- Lithium-treated bOVX mice exhibited increased cortical mRNA expression of ER-alpha, NR1, Bcl-2, BDNF, and CaMkII-alpha.
- No significant changes in hippocampal mRNA expression were observed.
Conclusions:
- Lithium enhances the expression of specific cortical genes involved in learning, memory, and neuroprotection in bOVX mice.
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