Influence of Fenpropathrin on Memory and Movement in Mice After Transient Incomplete Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Fenpropathrin, a synthetic pyrethroid widely used as an insecticide, is known to affect locomotion and memory in mammals. It is possible that exposure to pyrethroids may occur in an elderly population where transient ischemic attacks are a higher risk for occurrence with consequent changes in memory and control of movement. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA), a model for ischemia, together with fenpropathrin affected memory in tests such as the passive avoidance task and fresh spatial memory in a Y-maze, as well as movement activity and movement coordination on a rotarod in mice. BCCA together with fenpropathrin significantly reduced latency in a passive avoidance task compared to controls. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to the Y-maze, movement activity, or movement coordination. In conclusion, fenpropathrin needs to be used with caution in the presence of an elderly population at risk for ischemia, as there appears to be evidence of some memory loss in mice.

The authors express their gratitude to Dr. Marcelo Wolanski from Laboratorio de Toxicologia de Mezclas Quimicas of Universitad de Buenos Aires for providing information on his pyrethroid studies.