Abstract:
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the brain that
ultimately leads to dementia. It is characterized by distinct behavioral and
cognitive deficits that differ from those observed in normal aging. The objective of
the study was to investigate the effects of intensive treatment of AlCl3 on cognitive
abilities in Alzheimer’s disease in particular to the effect on social interactions,
anxiety responses, aggressive behavior and social dominance. Chemically induced
Alzheimer’s disease mouse model was developed by treating 11 months old
BALB/c mice with AlCl3 intraperitoneally for a period of 14 days. On day 14,
AlCl3 treated mice were subjected to a battery of tests including elevated plus
maze, social novelty and tube dominance test to assess cognitive abilities and
behavioral responses. Elevated plus maze was used to assess exploratory behavior
and anxiety responses. Time spent in closed arms by AlCl3 treated mice was
significantly higher (p=0.001) as compared to control mice indicating increase in
anxiety response. The number of entries into open arms was significantly
(p=0.0005) lower in AlCl3 treated mice compared to control, demonstrating
reduced exploratory activity. Assessment of sociability and interest in social
novelty was done by social novelty test. A significant deficit in sociability was
observed in AlCl3 treated mice (p=0.0003). Tube dominance test was performed to
assess the aggressive tendencies and dominant/submissive behavior in AlCl3
treated mice, however a significant difference in aggressive tendencies of control
and AlCl3 treated mice was not observed (p>0.05). Results indicated that AlCl3
induced mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease depicts cognitive impairment like the
development of AD in the initial stages and its relation to disease progression.
Understanding the behavioral and cognitive manifestations that occur in this model
may aid in the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the disease.
