Histone deacetylase inhibitors improve learning consolidation in young and in KA-induced-neurodegeneration and SAMP-8-mutant mice

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2008 Oct;39(2):193-201. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2008.06.009. Epub 2008 Jun 25.

Abstract

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that maintain chromatin in a condensate state, related with absence of transcription. We have studied the role of HDAC on learning and memory processes. Both eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) and object recognition memory (ORM) induced an increase in histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3). Systemic treatment with HDAC inhibitors improved cognitive processes in EBCC and in ORM tests. Immunohistochemistry and gene expression analyses indicated that administration of HDAC inhibitors decreased the stimulation threshold for Ac-H3, and gene expression to reach the levels required for learning and memory. Finally, we evaluated the effect of systemic administration of HDAC inhibitors to mice models of neurodegeneration and aging. HDAC inhibitors reversed learning and consolidation deficits in ORM in these models. These results point out HDAC inhibitors as candidate agents for the palliative treatment of learning and memory impairments in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation / drug effects
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Association Learning / drug effects
  • Blinking / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Classical / drug effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology
  • Hydroxamic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Kainic Acid
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / chemically induced
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / drug effects
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histones
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • trichostatin A
  • Kainic Acid