Biography
Biography: Praveen
Abstract
The effects of Catha edulis, as a CNS stimulant have been studied on various aspects, but how C.edulis influence spatial learning and memory is not clear. We hypothesize C.edulis, as it contain amphetamine like substances, will also influence spatial learning and memory. With this aim, a comparative study is conceded using another CNS stimulant, methylphenidate (MPD), an advanced therapeutic for treatment of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Spatial learning and memory was assessed using radial arm maze, by analyzing five dependent measures obtained on every trial: time to complete a trial, latency to first arm entry, number of reference memory errors, and number of working memory correct and incorrect errors. Taken together, our results showed that C.edulis and not MPD fed rats had impaired learning and memory, implicated by increased time to complete a trial. Either C.edulis or MPD increased attention in rats, as in both groups latency to first arm entry was less.rnrnMoreover, C.edulis fed rats were more effected in the working memory component and reference memory was intact, highlighting the significance of restricting the widespread use of C.edulis in humans. Multiple evidences and our findings strongly support the use of MPD as a choice of drug in treatment of ADHD with minimum deterioration on learning and memory, in spite of increasing attention and alertness. However, considering differential action of C.edulis and MPD on neurotransmitter systems of brain, more studies are requested for the effect of C.edulis on neurotransmitters in hippocampal network.rn