L-Theanine Effects on Memory and Cognition in Swim-Low Rats
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Michael Sardinia msardinia@whitworth.edu
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Research Project Abstract
L-theanine, a main component of green tea, has enough structural similarity to glutamate that it can bind to an NMDA receptor. NMDA receptors promote synaptic plasticity via calmodulin signaling cascades. Sprague-Dawley swim low rats, which have been bred to exhibit memory and cognitive deficits, were tested using a Morris Water Maze. Rats treated with L-theanine and a control group were tested. The difference in average swim times between the L-theanine group and the control group was statistically significant for the 7 days of the experiment. However, there was no significant difference between the average swim times in each day or during the persistence trial. Trends indicate the possibility of significant improvement in future trials conducted over a longer period of time.
Session Number
PS1
Location
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract Number
PS1-n
L-Theanine Effects on Memory and Cognition in Swim-Low Rats
HUB Multipurpose Room
L-theanine, a main component of green tea, has enough structural similarity to glutamate that it can bind to an NMDA receptor. NMDA receptors promote synaptic plasticity via calmodulin signaling cascades. Sprague-Dawley swim low rats, which have been bred to exhibit memory and cognitive deficits, were tested using a Morris Water Maze. Rats treated with L-theanine and a control group were tested. The difference in average swim times between the L-theanine group and the control group was statistically significant for the 7 days of the experiment. However, there was no significant difference between the average swim times in each day or during the persistence trial. Trends indicate the possibility of significant improvement in future trials conducted over a longer period of time.
