EPA-0117 – The Use of Bacosides A and B to Prevent a Cognitive Deficit in Schizophrenia Rat Models Resulting in Increased Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 2 (VGLUT2) in the Cingulate Gyrus

Abstract

Background:

Cognitive impairment is a debilitating symptom of schizophrenic patients causing functional disability. Neither typical nor atypical antipsychotic drugs are able to control it. There is a strong potential that Bacosides A and B from the plant Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) could be a novel neuroprotective compound for the prevention of cognnitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Objective:

To study neuroprotective effects of Brahmi on novel object recognition tasks and the cerebral VGLUT2 density in rat models that are schizophrenia induced through sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP) administration.

Material and Method:

Rats were divided into 3 groups; Group-A: Control; Group-B: PCP and Group-C: Bacosides A and B + PCP. Discrimination ratio (DR) representing cognitive ability was obtained from novel object recognition test. VGLUT2 density was measured in prefrontal cortex, striatum, cornu ammonis fields 1 (CA1) 2/3 (CA2/3) of hippocampus using immunohistochemistry.

Results:

DR in the PCP-group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. This occurred alongside reduced VGLUT2 in the cingulate gyrus. Bacosides A and B + PCP group showed a significant increase in DR score compared with PCP alone. This occurred alongside a significant increase in VGLUT2 in the cingulate gyrus.

Conclusion:

Cognitive deficit observed in rats receiving PCP administration was mediated by VGLUT2 reduction in the cingulate gyrus. Administration of Bacosides A and B before PCP administration can restore this cognitive deficit by increasing VGLUT2 density in this brain area to normal level. Conclusively, Bacosides A and B could be a novel neuroprotective compound for prevention of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.