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Does concomitant diazepam and ethanol use modulate age-related cognitive decline in mice?
Louise Carton1, Camille Landmann1, Florent Auger2
1Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology department, F-59000 Lille, France.
Life Sciences
|November 7, 2024
Summary
Chronic alcohol and diazepam use in aging mice did not show lasting memory impairment or metabolite changes. Discontinuing these substances led to recovery, indicating no additive long-term negative effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Elderly populations exhibit combined alcohol and benzodiazepine use, raising memory concerns.
- Chronic diazepam and ethanol intoxication may impact memory in aging individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term effects of chronic diazepam and ethanol on memory in aging mice.
- To investigate hippocampal metabolite changes associated with combined substance use.
Main Methods:
- Aging mice received ethanol, diazepam, or both for 16 weeks.
- Behavioral tests evaluated working memory, visual recognition, and spatial learning.
- In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) quantified hippocampal metabolites.
Main Results:
- Diazepam alone impaired visual recognition memory during treatment.
- Ethanol and combined use increased hippocampal glutamate and choline levels.
- No lasting memory deficits or metabolite alterations were observed after substance cessation.
Conclusions:
- Combined chronic alcohol and diazepam use did not produce additive memory deficits or persistent hippocampal metabolite changes.
- Observed disturbances were transient, emphasizing the benefits of discontinuing these substances.
