Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of β-alanine (a glycine agonist), on learning and memory in mice. β-alanine (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg i.p.) was administered for 6 successive days, to young (3 months old) and aged-mice (16 months old). The learning and memory parameters were assessed, using elevated plus-maze and passive-avoidance apparatus. The effect of β-alanine (20 mg/kg for 6 days) on locomotor function of young and aged mice, was studied using photoactometer, to rule out the increase in locomotor performance of mice. β-alanine at both the doses (10 and 20 mg/kg), significantly improved learning and memory of young- and aged- mice. β-alanine also reversed scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg i.p.), ethanol (1.0 g/kg i.p.) and diazepam (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) -induced amnesia in young mice. There was no significant effect of β-alanine on the locomotor activity of both young and aged mice. The probable underlying mechanism of the memory-enhancing effect of β-alanine appears to be related to its antioxidant, anti-amyloid and procholinergic activities.