Steroid sulfatase inhibitors can enhance the concentration of the
neurosteroid DHEAS in rat brain. Previous studies have demonstrated that the
steroid sulfatase inhibitor (p-O-sulfamoyl)-N-tetradecanoyl
tyramine (DU-14) could reverse
scopolamine induced
amnesia in rats in a passive avoidance memory paradigm. The intent of this study was to determine whether chronic pretreatment with
DU-14 could reverse
scopolamine amnesia and/or enhance spacial memory in the place, probe and cued versions of the Morris water maze (MWM). Rats were divided into four groups and administered IP for 15 days either
DU-14 (30.0 mg/Kg) or
corn oil (1.0 ml/Kg) vehicle. On training days animals were administered either
scopolamine (1.0 mg/Kg) or saline (1.0 ml/Kg). The groups administered
DU-14 displayed a significant enhancement in learning and spacial memory in the place version of the MWM, when compared to respective vehicle-
scopolamine and vehicle-saline groups. In the probe version, the DU-14-saline group remained in the target quadrant of the maze significantly longer than any of the other groups indicating enhanced retention. In the cued version of the MWM, treatment with
DU-14 did not significantly change escape latency suggesting that the
steroid sulfatase inhibitor did not alter motivation or locomotion. These results suggest that the chronic administration of
steroid sulfatase inhibitors enhance learning and spatial memory in rats.