New findings by medical researchers have revealed potential new treatments which could help people with cognitive diseases.
In the study, the researchers altered a gene in mice to inhibit the activity of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B), which is present in many organs of the vertebrate body, including the brain.
In behavioural tests, the PDE4B-inhibited mice showed enhanced cognitive abilities.
They tended to learn faster, remember events longer and solve complex exercises better than ordinary mice.
However, the PDE4B-inhibited mice also showed less recall of a fearful event after several days than ordinary mice.
The findings have not been tested in humans, but PDE4B is present in humans.
The PDE4B-inhibited mice also showed less anxiety. They spent more time in open, brightly-lit spaces than ordinary mice, which preferred dark, enclosed spaces.
Ordinary mice are naturally fearful of cats, but the PDE4B-inhibited mice showed a decreased fear response to cat urine, suggesting that one effect of inhibiting PDE4B could be an increase in risk-taking behaviour.
Hence, while the PDE4B-inhibited mice excelled at solving complex exercises, their low levels of anxiety could be counterproductive for a wild mouse.
Lead author Steve Clapcote University of Leeds’ said that cognitive impairments were currently poorly treated, so he was excited that their work using mice has identified phosphodiesterase-4B as a promising target for potential new treatments.
