Objective: This study discusses the in vivo electrophysiology of the hippocampus, behavioral correlates after rotenone intoxication.

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects brain regions that control movement [1]. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by dopamine neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN), which results in striatal dopamine deficiency [2]. The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, on the other hand, is still unknown. Common symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, stiff muscles, unsteady walking, and balance and coordination problems [3]. Parkinson’s symptoms usually appear gradually and worsen over time. People may have difficulty walking and talking as the disease progresses. They may also experience mental and behavioral changes, depression, memory problems, and fatigue [4]. Rotenone causes inflammation, which appears to contribute to the formation of PD [5].  Curcumin protects hippocampal neurons against rotenone-induced cell death [6].

Method: The neuroprotective action of curcumin (the primary bioactive substance in turmeric) in a rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease was studied. Male albino rats were given rotenone injections (2.5 mg/ml, intraperitoneally) for 3 weeks. We studied the effect of curcumin(200 mg/kg) on behavior and the electrical activity of hippocampal neurons measured in response to entorhinal cortex (EC) high frequency stimulation (HFS).

Results: The excitatory and inhibitory synapses between EC and CA3 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus exhibited robust forms of short-term plasticity, including frequency facilitation (PTP) and depression (PTD). The cylinder test was used to measure spontaneous movements and asymmetry in limb use.

Conclusion: Rotenone significantly reduced neuronal activity, whereas curcumin improved motor impairments and electrophysiological parameters and may be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

References: 1. Dauer W, Przedborski S. Parkinson’s disease: Mechanisms and models. Neuron. 2003; 39:889-909.
2. Lazaros C. Triarhou. Dopamine and Parkinson’s Disease. Madame Curie Bioscience Database [Internet]. Austin (TX): Landes Bioscience; 2000-2013.
3. Cenci MA, Whishaw IQ, Schallert T. Animal models of neurological deficits: How relevant is the rat? Nat Rev Neurosci. 2002;3:574–579.
4. Mansouri Z, Sabetkasaei M, Moradi F, Masoudnia F, Ataie A. Curcumin has neuroprotection effect on homocysteine rat model of Parkinson. J Mol Neurosci. 2012 Jun;47(2):234-42.
5. Chinta SJ, Ganesan A, Reis-Rodrigues P, Lithgow GJ, Andersen JK (2013) Anti-inflammatory role of the isoflavone diadzein in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia: implications for Parkinson’s disease. Neurotox Res 23:145–153
6. L. V. Darbinyan, L. E. Hambardzumyan, K. V. Simonyan, V. A. Chavushyan, L. P. Manukyan, S. A. Badalyan, N. Khalaji & V. H. Sarkisian. Protective effects of curcumin against rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease: in vivo electrophysiological and behavioral study. Metab Brain Dis. 2017 Dec;32(6):1791-1803.

« Back to 2022 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/curcumin-prevented-electrophysiological-and-behavioral-alterations-in-a-rotenone-model-of-parkinsons-disease/