Nitric oxide role in anxiety-like behavior, memory and cognitive impairments in animal model of chronic migraine

The occurrence of cognitive dysfunctions and anxiety and mood disorders has been shown to be higher in migraine patients. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a significant neurotransmitter in the pathophysiology of migraine, anxiety and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the role of NO system in migraine-induced memory impairment and anxiety like behaviors. Nitroglycerin (NTG) was administered to the animals as an animal model of migraine and pretreatment with L-Arginine, L-NAME and saline were implemented to evaluate the role of NO system in possible cognitive impairments in animal model of migraine. Avoidance learning and memory performance, object recognition memory, anxiety-like behavior and motor activity were assessed using a shuttle box apparatus, novel object recognition, elevated plus-maze, and open field tests respectively. The data showed that the injection of nitroglycerin disturbs learning and memory and elicit anxiety like behavior in the animals. L-NAME administration suppressed the observed effect of nitroglycerin on memory and anxiety. Overall, the results indicated that nitric oxide system is implicated in memory impairments and anxiety like behavior in an animal model of migraine.