The Changes of the Learning and Memory Ability after Stimulation by STN‐DBS in Parkinson's Disease Rats

Objective To investigate the changes of the learning and memory ability after stimulated by subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) in Parkinson's Disease (PD) rats. Methods 55 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10), PD group (n=15), sham stimulation group (n=15) and stimulation group (n=15). Stimulation and sham stimulation groups were planted in unilateral STN‐DBS. STN‐DBS in stimulation group was powered on and was stimulated 7 consecutive days at the regular time, while Sham stimulation group complied with the same program except power on the STN‐DBS. The apomorphine rotation was observed at pre‐stimulation and post‐stimulation. The latency to find the platform, swimming speed, swimming distance and crossing times were detected with Morris water maze. Results The symptoms of PD rats were improved significantly after stimulated by STN‐DBS. Compared with PD model group and sham stimulation model group, not only escape latency of rats in the DBS stimulated model group was decreased (P < 0.01), but also swimming speed (P < 0.05)and swimming distance (P < 0.05) were descend. The crossing times、 swimming distance and swimming time in which the platform located of PD model group(p < 0.05) and sham stimulation model group(p < 0.05) were definitely lesser than stimulation model group. Conclusion STN‐DBS stimulation not only can improve the ability of cognition, but also delay the condition worsen.. Support or Funding Information This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Youth (Fund No.30600637), China Postdoctral Foundation (Fund No.2014M561207), Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(Fund No. 2011‐096 and Key projects No.4), The science and technology research projects of health department of Shanxi province (FundNo. 201301068), Shanxi Province Basic Research Program Youth Science and Technology Research Fund (Fund No.201601D011119).,