Effect of humanin analogues on experimentally induced impairment of spatial memory in rats

Humanin and its analogues have been shown to protect cells against death induced by various Alzheimer's disease genes and amyloid-beta-peptides in vitro; the analogue [Gly(14)]-humanin has also been shown to be potent in reversing learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine in mice in vivo. It is important to validate these results by using other behavioral methods. In this study, the effect of [Gly(14)]-humanin and des-Leu-PAGA, another analogue (0.2 mumol kg(-1), i.p.) on the 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate-induced (2 mg kg(-1), i.p.) impairment of spatial memory in the multiple T-maze in rats has been evaluated. Both peptides reversed the impairment of spatial memory. These results indicate the potential of humanin analogues in modulation of the cholinergic system. Copyright (C) 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley Sons, Ltd.