Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2016
Melatonin attenuates scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction through SIRT1/IRE1α/XBP1 pathway
Xiao-Qi Liu1,2,3,4, Shun Huang5,6, Jia-Yi Zheng1,2,3,4
1State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Melatonin can improve cognitive dysfunction and anxiety caused by scopolamine. This neuroprotective effect is mediated by the SIRT1/IRE1α/XBP1 pathway, highlighting melatonin as a potential dementia treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dementia prevalence is rising globally, leading to cognitive and mood impairments.
- Melatonin shows potential for memory loss, but its mechanism remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of melatonin on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin's action.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in vivo and in vitro models to assess melatonin's effects on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction.
- Employed behavioral tests, 18F-FDG PET imaging, Western blot, immunofluorescence, Nissl staining, MTT assay, and RNAi transfection.
- Examined protein expression, neurodegeneration, cell viability, and cerebral glucose metabolism.
Main Results:
- Melatonin ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behaviors.
- Improved cerebral glucose uptake, restored cholinergic function, and reduced oxidative stress in mice.
- Upregulated SIRT1, which alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress via the IRE1α/XBP1 pathway.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin ameliorates cognitive dysfunction through the SIRT1/IRE1α/XBP1 pathway.
- SIRT1 is identified as a key target for melatonin in dementia treatment.
More Related Videos
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
05:59Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
Published on: October 20, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Understanding Sleep
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...