Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a Potential Self-Sourced Cognition Booster in Elderly Mice

ABSTRACT

Background: A complex set of neurotrophic growth factors participates in neuroplasticity in the aging brain. Platelets are a copious source of growth factors, most of which display also the neurotropic activity. On this basis, we investigated behavioral and cognitive consequences of the administration of intravenous allogeneic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in senescent mice.

Methods: The animals (16–18 months old) were injected with either physiological saline or PRP which was acquired from age-matched counterparts and subjected to a battery of tests comprised of open-field, elevated-plus maze, tail suspension, and Morris water maze test.

Results: We found that PRP treatment increases locomotion and improves learning and memory in elderly mice. Importantly, the PRP-treated animals did not exhibit any anxiety- or depression-like behaviors.

Conclusion: The present study is the first to demonstrate that allogeneic PRP possesses beneficial effects against cognitive aging and it signifies that PRP may be used as a novel self-sourced treatment in age-related cognitive decline.

Highlights

• Intravenous allogeneic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enhances the locomotor activity in senescent mice.

• The PRP treatment significantly improves learning and memory in senescent mice.

• The PRP administration does not alter behavioral stability which is evident with the absence of depression- and anxiety-like behaviors following the treatment.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank H. Dogan and B. H. Cihan for their supports and insightful comments.

Author contributions

E.A.D. conceived the study, conducted experiments, analyzed data, and drafted the manuscript. M.K. contributed to behavioral and cognitive tests.