Hippocampal brain amines in methotrexate-induced learning and memory deficit

Sampath Madhyastha, S. N. Somayaji, M. S. Rao, K. Nalini, K. Laxminarayana Bairy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Intrathecal methotrexate in children with leukemia is known to cause seizures, dementia, leukoencephalopathy, and cognitive dysfunction after long-term treatment. To investigate the cognitive dysfunction, male Wistar rats were given multiple intracerebroventricular injections of methotrexate. Its effect on behaviour was tested in the two-compartment conditioned avoidance task and dark-bright arena test. Levels of brain amines in the hippocampal region of the brain were estimated by HPLC. The qualitative and quantitative histopathological changes in the different regions of the hippocampus were studied by cresyl violet staining. Multiple injections (1 or 2 mg/kg) produced convulsions and learning and memory impairment but did not induce anxiolytic activity. They also reduced concentrations of all three brain amines (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The CA4 region of the hippocampus was severely affected by intraventricular methotrexate. Disruption of brain monoamines has been proposed as a cause of brain dysfunction from this chemotherapy, and that disruption may in turn involve cytotoxic effects of methotrexate on brain tissue. The outcomes of this study may have therapeutic implications in the management of cancer conditions, particularly in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1076-1084
Number of pages9
JournalCanadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
Volume80
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology

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