Objective:To observe the effect of curcumin on learning and memory ability and the morphology of the hippocampus of young and aged rats with vascular dementia(VD)induced by cerebral hypoperfusion

then to further explore if the effect of curcumin has any difference in different ages. Methods:Both young and aged rats were randomly divided into normal group

sham-operated group

2VO group

2VO+curcumin 50 mg/kg group and 2VO+curcumin 100 mg/kg group(10 rats in each group). Permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries ligation(2VO) method was used to set up cerebral ischemia model. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with curcumin or DMSO once daily for 30 d. The changes of learning and memory ability of rats were tested in the Morris water maze;the pathological changes of CA1 region of the hippocampus were measured by HE and Nissl staining. Results:Morris water test showed that 2VO method could reduce learning and memory of young and aged VD rats(P<0.05)

while curcumin could improve them(P<0.05). HE and Nissl staining results showed that 2VO method led to pathological changes of CA1 region in young and aged VD rats(P<0.05)

and curcumin could reduce the injury(P<0.05). No notable difference was found between rats at different ages(P>0.05). Conclusion:Curcumin can reduce the brain damage in young and aged VD rats and improve cognitive dysfunction

and the effect was dose-dependent

without age difference. Our study suggests that the pathological injury of the hippocampus might be one of the mechanisms of curcumin on improving cognitive impairment of VD rats.