The Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Learning and Memory Deficit in a Rat Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Methods: In the present study, Wistar male rats were injected intrahippocampally with 0.9% saline(Sham-operated group), kainic acid(4 μg) alone, or α-lipoic acid (25mg and 50mg/kg) in association with kainic acid(4μg). We performed behavior monitoring(spontaneous seizure, learning and memory by Y-maze and passive avoidance test), intracranial electroencepholography (iEEG) recording, histological analysis, to evaluate the anti- epilepsy effect of α-lipoic acid in kainate-induced epileptic rats. Results: Behavior data showed that the kainate rats exhibit spontaneous seizures, lower spontaneous alternation score inY-maze tasks (p<0.01), impaired retention and recall capability in the passive avoidance test (p<0.05). Administration of alpha-lipoic acid, in both doses, significantly decrease the number of spontaneous seizures, improved alternation score in Y-maze task (p<0.005) and impaired retention and recall capability in the passive avoidance test (p<0.01) in kainite rats. Moreover, lipoic acid could improve the lipid peroxidation and nitrite level and superoxid dismutase activity. Discussion: This study indicates that lipoic acid pretreatment attenuates kainic acid-induced impairment of short-term spatial memory in rats probably due to its antioxidant activity. A B S T R A C T