Abstract WP355: Timing-Dependent Effects of Choline Supplementation on Post-Stroke Cognitive Recovery in Mice

Introduction: The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, mediated by the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR), modulates immune responses and reduces inflammation. In young mice, αlpha7nAChR activation mitigates ischemic stroke injury by decreasing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. However, the impact of timely alpha7nAChR stimulation on long-term cognitive outcomes remains understudied. We evaluated whether stimulation of alpha7nAChR via choline, a dietary agonist, could improve cognitive recovery after stroke. We hypothesized that choline supplementation would enhance post-stroke cognitive outcomes, with greater benefit when initiated immediately versus one month after stroke. Methods: Young (8–12 weeks) male wild-type mice underwent 60-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and were assigned to: (A) choline-supplemented diet (5 g/kg choline chloride) immediately post-stroke; (B) choline-supplemented diet starting 1-month post-stroke; or (C) control diet. Cognitive testing included Y-maze and Barnes maze (month 1), novel object recognition (month 2), and object location test (month 3). Results: At 1-month post-MCAO, percentage alternation did not differ among groups on Y maze. In the Barnes maze, control diet MCAO mice showed prolonged escape latency (p