Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Among its non-motor symptoms, sleep disorders are extremely common and have been linked to cognitive and memory disruption. The microenvironment, in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), is deeply involved in memory consolidation as well as in neuropathological processes such as inflammation, damage to the bloodbrain barrier, and neuronal death. To better understand ECM dynamics in PD memory

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... s, the present study investigates the orchestrated expression of Mmps (Mmp-3, 7 and 9) and their modulators (Reck and Timp-3) in a rotenone-induced PD model in which an additional intervention in the memory process was introduced through rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMSD). Additionally, the correlation of Mmp-7 and -9 expression to the neurotrophic factors Ngf, Gdnf, and the dopamine receptors D1 and D2 was determined. REMSD reversed the rotenone induced cognitive impairments. Associated to this phenotype, we observed a significant increase in Mmp-7/Reck and Mmp-9/Reck mRNA expression ratio in the substantia nigra, and Mmp-9/Reck ratio in the hypothalamus. Moreover, the positive correlation of Mmp/Reck expression ratios between the substantia nigra and the striatum observed upon rotenone infusion is reversed by REMSD. Taken together, our results suggest a potential orchestrated association between an increase in Mmp-7 and -9/Reck expression ratios in the substantia nigra and a positive effect on cognitive performance in subjects affected by PD.