Effect of Resveratrol on memory performance.
Whether cell survival and spine formation occurred in parallel with the potential neuroprotective effects of RVTL on associative memory remained unknown. To answer to this critical question, Torres-Perez and colleagues used the step-down passive avoidance (SDPA) method, which is sensitive to associative memory function. The SDPA test is a fear-aggravated model that involves learning to inhibit a response (natural exploratory drive) in order to avoid an aversive stimulus (footshock). The latency to repeat the punished response is considered to be an index of retention memory. Mice treated for 14 days with RVTL showed increased retention latency at both 1.5 hours (short-term) and 24 hours (long-term) after basal test, thus revealing improved cognitive performance. Such amelioration is thought to be specific to associative memories since working and reference memories, evaluated using the 8-radial arm maze test (8-RAM) behavioral paradigm, were not altered. “This finding provides additional evidence to support the hypothesis that RVTL exerts beneficial effects on the brain”, said the authors.