Brain-specific expression of cellular prion protein in memory impairment induced by sleep-deprivation in rats

Objective: We designed this study to investigate the mechanism of cellular prion protein (PrPC) in memory impairment induced by sleep-deprivation. Methods: Rats were deprived of sleep for 72 h using the modified multiple platform method. The Morris water maze task was used to assess hippocampal-dependent spatial memory. After sleep-deprivation, the rats were sacrificed and their brain tissue was analyzed for PrPC and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) expression by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: After 72 h sleep-deprivation, it was observed hippocampal-dependent spatial memory impairment, down-regulations of PrPC and p-CREB (selectively in the hippocampus) in rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the reduced PrPC level in the hippocampus contributes to sleep-deprivation induced hippocampal-dependent memory impairment; and CREB signaling pathway involves in this process. In view of PrPC-CREB system involves in sleep-deprivation induced memory impairment, it may be a potential target for future treatment.