Duality in recognition memory deficits in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice

Abstract

Effects of post weaning environmental enrichment (EE) on episodic memory was studied in 2-month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease METHOD: The basic protocol for post weaning EE and tests for episodic memory were adapted from previously established procedures. The experiments were conducted on WT and APP/PS1 male mice. In this study we demonstrate that object recognition memory is intact, however, object in place memory is impaired in APP/PS1 mice during the preplaque stages of disease pathogenesis at 2 months of age. We further demonstrate that post weaning EE ameliorates object in place memory, however, lead to deficits in object recognition memory. Our results indicate that 2-month-old APP/PS1 mice displays deficits within recognition memory selectively sparing the familiarity component of recognition. Furthermore, benefits of EE are biased towards context based recognition task in APP/PS1 mice.