AIM: To observe the cAMP level in frontal cortex and hippocampus of mice with vascular dementia (VD) and the effect of
dihydroergotoxine
(DHE) on it, and explore the molecular pathogenesis of VD. METHODS: The mice were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion of bilateral common carotid arteries for three times by making a temporary tie to establish a model of VD and the changes of learning abilities and memory were tested on d 29, 30 after operation. Sham-operated mice were made as a control group. DHE was administrated to another group of mice, which were taken as treatment group. The cAMP level was evaluated by the
radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated group, the learning abilities and memory of model group was worse (P<(0.05)) and the cAMP level in frontal cortex and hippocampus was lower (P<0.05); compared with model group, the learning abilities and memory of DHE group was better (P<0.05) and the cAMP level in frontal cortex and hippocampus was higher (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The lower cAMP level in frontal cortex and hippocampus might be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of VD; DHE could improve the cAMP level and then ameliorate the clinical symptoms.