Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive decline in memory, language and other cognitive functions. Recent studies provide convincing evidence on the role of vitamin D3 on the nervous system. Aim: To investigate the effect of the active form of vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) as a neuroprotective agent in experimentally induced AD in rats. Methods: 40 adult male Wistar (albino) rats weighing 180 to 200 g were included in this study.

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... Rats were divided into four groups (each of 10 rats): Group I: normal healthy rats receiving intracerebroventricular injection (icv) of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and serving as a control group. Group II: rats with induced AD by icv colchicine injection of 15 lg/rat bilaterally and receiving no treatment. Group III: rats pre-treated with active form of vitamin D3 42 IU/kg/day subcutaneously (s.c.) for one week followed by induction of AD then post-treated with vitamin D3 in the same dose for 3 weeks. Group IV: rats with induced AD then post-treated with vitamin D3 for 3 weeks. The following parameters were evaluated in rats of all studied groups: