Growth hormone reverses streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairments in male mice

In recent decades, growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in human subjects deficient in the hormone has resulted in a number of beneficial effects on cognitive performance. Studies in hypophysectomised rats report similar effects of GH treatment on learning and memory tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of GH to reverse learning impairments in mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Diabetic and control mice were given recombinant human GH (rhGH) 0.1 IU/kg/day for ten consecutive days. In the latter phase of the treatment the cognitive abilities of the mice were tested using the Barnes maze (BM). A profound hormonal effect was seen when analysing the search patterns used by the animals in the maze. rhGH treatment significantly counteracted the cognitive disabilities expressed as lack of direct search strategies on the last day in the BM. In addition, the number of primary errors made by diabetic mice during the acquisition phase was reduced by rhGH treatment, although the primary escape latency was unchanged in these animals when compared to saline-treated diabetic animals. These results suggest that specific cognitive impairments induced by STZ, i.e. the disabilities seen in strategic behaviour, could be reversed by exogenous hormone treatment. Our findings highlight the influence of GH on brain function and in particular on cognitive behaviour related to learning and memory.