Effect of intravenous administration of dipyridamole in a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia

Pharmacological therapy able to improve the cognitive performances of patients with chronic vascular pathologies currently remains unavailable. Many studies of chronic cerebral hypotension in rodents have revealed alterations in reference memory and learning. Dipyridamole was introduced into clinical medicine in the early 1960s as a coronary vasodilator. It is a potent inhibitor of platelet activation and reduces formation of thrombi in vivo. In addition, it is an antithrombotic agent used for secondary stroke prevention in combination with aspirin. Recent evidence indicates that dipyridamole has anti-inflammatory properties. Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) in the rat is recognized as a valid model of chronic cerebral hypotension, also defined as the vascular cognitive impairment rat model. Here, we report that dipyridamole reverses the impairment of spatial working memory 90 days after 2VO. This protective effect might be in relation to dipyridamole's anti-inflammatory properties.