We studied the effect of original
dipeptide preparation
Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, GVS-111) with
nootropic and neuroprotective properties on the expression of
mRNA for neurotropic factors
NGF and
BDNF in rat hippocampus. Expression of
NGF and
BDNF mRNA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was studied by Northern blot analysis. Taking into account the fact that pharmacological activity of
Noopept is realized after both acute and chronic treatment, we studied the effect of single and long-term treatment (28 days) with this
drug. Expression of the studied neurotropic factors in the cerebral cortex was below the control after single administration of
Noopept, while chronic administration caused a slight increase in
BDNF expression. In the hippocampus, expression of
mRNA for both
neurotrophins increased after acute administration of
Noopept. Chronic treatment with
Noopept was not followed by the development of tolerance, but even potentiated the neurotrophic effect. These changes probably play a role in neuronal restoration. We showed that the
nootropic drug increases expression of
neurotrophic factors in the hippocampus. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that
neurotrophin synthesis in the hippocampus determines cognitive function, particularly in consolidation and delayed memory retrieval. Published data show that
neurotrophic factor deficiency in the hippocampus is observed not only in advanced
Alzheimer's disease, but also at the stage of
mild cognitive impairment (pre-disease state). In light of this our findings suggest that
Noopept holds much promise to prevent the development of
Alzheimer's disease in patients with
mild cognitive impairment. Moreover, therapeutic effectiveness of
Noopept should be evaluated at the initial stage of
Alzheimer's disease.