Chronic Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthases Impairs Spatiotemporal Learning and Memory to a Similar Extent in C57BL/6 and hAPP23+/− Mice

Abstract

Due to global population growth, age-related disorders like cardiovascular disease and dementia are anticipated to increase. Recent data suggests a connection between cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration, especially focusing on arterial stiffness (AS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In light of this, we conducted a study to explore the impact of long-term nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform inhibition, which leads to AS, on neurobehavioral performance. We also compared these effects in an AD model and control mice. C57BL/6 and hAPP23+/− mice (an established AD model) were given 0.5 mg/mL N(G)-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) in their drinking water for 16 weeks. Our findings indicate that chronic non-selective NOS inhibition increased AS and reduced spatiotemporal learning and memory in both C57BL/6 and hAPP23+/− mice. These effects were consistent across both groups, emphasizing the role of neuronal NOS (nNOS) in cognitive aging, regardless of genetic predisposition to AD.

Keywords

• arterial stiffness
• Alzheimer’s disease
• nitric oxide
• learning and memory
• amyloid