Gangliosides Accelerate Rat Neonatal Learning and Levels of Cortical Acetylcholinesterases

Abstract

Several studies have shown that exogenous gangliosides can stimulate neurite outgrowth (in vitro), accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration (in vivo) and facilitate CNS recovery after lesioning. Experiments were designed to assess the effects of ganglioside administration on neonatal development. Rat neonates received daily subcutaneous injections of gangliosides from PN day 5 through 15. Learning behavior (acquisition and retention) was facilitated in rats which had received injections of either total, GM1 or GD1b ganglioside. Rats injected with GD1a and GT1b ganglioside were not different from controls. Levels of total AChE activity as well as its 4s and 10s molecular forms in cortex, were assayed at PN days 9, 14, 21 and 28 in rats injected with GM1 ganglioside. These animals had consistently higher levels of enzyme activity as compared to saline controls. It is hypothesized that exogenous gangliosides accelerate CNS maturation.