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Tancheva L, Kalfin R, Minchev B, Uzunova D, Tasheva K, Tsvetanova E, Georgieva A, Alexandrova A, Stefanova M, Solak A, Lazarova M, Hodzhev Y, Grigorova V, Yarkov D, Petkova-Kirova P. Memory Recovery Effect of a New Bioactive Innovative Combination in Rats with Experimental Dementia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2050. [PMID: 38136170 PMCID: PMC10740861 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a complex pathological condition, with neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction being a few of the many pathological changes. Due to the complexity of the disease, current therapeutic strategies aim at a multitargeted approach, often relying on a combination of substances with versatile and complementary effects. In the present study, a unique combination of α-lipoic acid, citicoline, extracts of leaves from olive tree and green tea, vitamin D3, selenium and an immune-supporting complex was tested in scopolamine-induced dementia in rats. Using behavioral and biochemical methods, we assessed the effects of the combination on learning and memory, and elucidated the mechanisms of these effects. Our results showed that, compared to its components, the experimental combination was most efficient in improving short- and long-term memory as assessed by the step-through method as well as spatial memory as assessed by T-maze and Barnes maze underlined by decreases in AChE activity (p < 0.05) and LPO (p < 0.001), increases in SOD activity in the cortex (p < 0.05) and increases in catalase (p < 0.05) and GPx (p < 0.01) activities and BDNF (p < 0.001) and pCREB (p < 0.05) levels in the hippocampus. No significant histopathological changes or blood parameter changes were detected, making the experimental combination an effective and safe candidate in a multitargeted treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyubka Tancheva
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
- Department of Healthcare, South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Ivan Mihailov Str. 66, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Borislav Minchev
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Diamara Uzunova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Krasimira Tasheva
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Elina Tsvetanova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Almira Georgieva
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Albena Alexandrova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
- National Sports Academy, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Acad. S. Mladenov Str. 21, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Miroslava Stefanova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Ayten Solak
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
- Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies, Cherni Vrah Blvd 53, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Lazarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Yordan Hodzhev
- National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Yanko Sakazov Blvd 26, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Valya Grigorova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Dobri Yarkov
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Polina Petkova-Kirova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (B.M.); (D.U.); (E.T.); (A.G.); (A.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (M.L.)
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Dynamics of Dendritic Spines in Dorsal Striatum after Retrieval of Moderate and Strong Inhibitory Avoidance Learning. Neuroscience 2021; 497:134-145. [PMID: 34648867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In marked contrast to the ample literature showing that the dorsal striatum is engaged in memory consolidation, little is known about its involvement in memory retrieval. Recent findings demonstrated significant increments in dendritic spine density and mushroom spine counts in dorsal striatum after memory consolidation of moderate inhibitory avoidance (IA) training; further increments were found after strong training. Here, we provide evidence that in this region spine counts were also increased as a consequence of retrieval of moderate IA training, and even higher mushroom spine counts after retrieval of strong training; by contrast, there were fewer thin spines after retrieval. Similar changes in mushroom and thin spine populations were found in the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens), but they were related to the aversive stimulation and not to memory retrieval. These results suggest that memory retrieval is a dynamic process which produces neuronal structural plasticity that might be necessary for maintaining or strengthening assemblies that encode stored information.
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Torres-García ME, Medina AC, Quirarte GL, Prado-Alcalá RA. Differential Effects of Inactivation of Discrete Regions of Medial Prefrontal Cortex on Memory Consolidation of Moderate and Intense Inhibitory Avoidance Training. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:842. [PMID: 29204119 PMCID: PMC5698302 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been found that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in memory encoding of aversive events, such as inhibitory avoidance (IA) training. Dissociable roles have been described for different mPFC subregions regarding various memory processes, wherein the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prelimbic cortex (PL), and infralimbic cortex (IL) are involved in acquisition, retrieval, and extinction of aversive events, respectively. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that intense training impedes the effects on memory of treatments that typically interfere with memory consolidation. The aim of this work was to determine if there are differential effects on memory induced by reversible inactivation of neural activity of ACC, PL, or IL produced by tetrodotoxin (TTX) in rats trained in IA using moderate (1.0 mA) and intense (3.0 mA) foot-shocks. We found that inactivation of ACC has no effects on memory consolidation, regardless of intensity of training. PL inactivation impairs memory consolidation in the 1.0 mA group, while no effect on consolidation was produced in the 3.0 mA group. In the case of IL, a remarkable amnestic effect in LTM was observed in both training conditions. However, state-dependency can explain the amnestic effect of TTX found in the 3.0 mA IL group. In order to circumvent this effect, TTX was injected into IL immediately after training (thus avoiding state-dependency). The behavioral results are equivalent to those found after PL inactivation. Therefore, these findings provide evidence that PL and IL, but not ACC, mediate LTM of IA only in moderate training.
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Affiliation(s)
- María E Torres-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Andrea C Medina
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Gina L Quirarte
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Roberto A Prado-Alcalá
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
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Giménez De Béjar V, Caballero Bleda M, Popović N, Popović M. Verapamil Blocks Scopolamine Enhancement Effect on Memory Consolidation in Passive Avoidance Task in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:566. [PMID: 28878678 PMCID: PMC5572412 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent data have indicated that scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, improves memory consolidation, in a passive avoidance task, tested in rats. It has been found that verapamil, a phenylalkylamine class of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist, inhibits [3H] N-methyl scopolamine binding to M1 muscarinic receptors. However, there are no data about the effect of verapamil on memory consolidation in the passive avoidance task, in rats. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of verapamil (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg i.p.) as well as the interaction between scopolamine and verapamil on memory consolidation in the step-through passive avoidance task, in Wistar rats. Our results showed that verapamil (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) administered immediately after the acquisition task significantly increased the latency of the passive avoidance response, on the 48 h retested trial, improving memory consolidation. On the other hand, verapamil in a dose of 5 mg/kg, that per se does not affect memory consolidation, significantly reversed the memory consolidation improvement induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., administered immediately after verapamil treatment) but did not change the passive avoidance response in rats treated by an ineffective dose of scopolamine (30 mg/kg). In conclusion, the present data suggest that (1) the post-training administration of verapamil, dose-dependently, improves the passive avoidance response; (2) verapamil, in ineffective dose, abolished the improvement of memory consolidation effect of scopolamine; and (3) exists interaction between cholinergic muscarinic receptors and calcium homeostasis-related mechanisms in the consolidation of emotional memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Giménez De Béjar
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Quirónsalud MurciaMurcia, Spain.,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain
| | - María Caballero Bleda
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
| | - Natalija Popović
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
| | - Miroljub Popović
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
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Gomes da Silva S, de Almeida AA, Fernandes J, Lopim GM, Cabral FR, Scerni DA, de Oliveira-Pinto AV, Lent R, Arida RM. Maternal Exercise during Pregnancy Increases BDNF Levels and Cell Numbers in the Hippocampal Formation but Not in the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Rat Offspring. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147200. [PMID: 26771675 PMCID: PMC4714851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence has shown that physical exercise during pregnancy may alter brain development and improve cognitive function of offspring. However, the mechanisms through which maternal exercise might promote such effects are not well understood. The present study examined levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and absolute cell numbers in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex of rat pups born from mothers exercised during pregnancy. Additionally, we evaluated the cognitive abilities of adult offspring in different behavioral paradigms (exploratory activity and habituation in open field tests, spatial memory in a water maze test, and aversive memory in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task). Results showed that maternal exercise during pregnancy increased BDNF levels and absolute numbers of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the hippocampal formation of offspring. No differences in BDNF levels or cell numbers were detected in the cerebral cortex. It was also observed that offspring from exercised mothers exhibited better cognitive performance in nonassociative (habituation) and associative (spatial learning) mnemonic tasks than did offspring from sedentary mothers. Our findings indicate that maternal exercise during pregnancy enhances offspring cognitive function (habituation behavior and spatial learning) and increases BDNF levels and cell numbers in the hippocampal formation of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Gomes da Silva
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.,Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC), Mogi das Cruzes-SP, Brazil
| | | | - Jansen Fernandes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Glauber Menezes Lopim
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | | | - Débora Amado Scerni
- Disciplina de Neurologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Lent
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Mario Arida
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
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Time course of scopolamine effect on memory consolidation and forgetting in rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 118:49-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Giovannini MG, Lana D, Pepeu G. The integrated role of ACh, ERK and mTOR in the mechanisms of hippocampal inhibitory avoidance memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 119:18-33. [PMID: 25595880 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to summarize the present knowledge on the interplay among the cholinergic system, Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in the development of short and long term memories during the acquisition and recall of the step-down inhibitory avoidance in the hippocampus. The step-down inhibitory avoidance is a form of associative learning that is acquired in a relatively simple one-trial test through several sensorial inputs. Inhibitory avoidance depends on the integrated activity of hippocampal CA1 and other brain areas. Recall can be performed at different times after acquisition, thus allowing for the study of both short and long term memory. Among the many neurotransmitter systems involved, the cholinergic neurons that originate in the basal forebrain and project to the hippocampus are of crucial importance in inhibitory avoidance processes. Acetylcholine released from cholinergic fibers during acquisition and/or recall of behavioural tasks activates muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and brings about a long-lasting potentiation of the postsynaptic membrane followed by downstream activation of intracellular pathway (ERK, among others) that create conditions favourable for neuronal plasticity. ERK appears to be salient not only in long term memory, but also in the molecular mechanisms underlying short term memory formation in the hippocampus. Since ERK can function as a biochemical coincidence detector in response to extracellular signals in neurons, the activation of ERK-dependent downstream effectors is determined, in part, by the duration of ERK phosphorylation itself. Long term memories require protein synthesis, that in the synapto-dendritic compartment represents a direct mechanism that can produce rapid changes in protein content in response to synaptic activity. mTOR in the brain regulates protein translation in response to neuronal activity, thereby modulating synaptic plasticity and long term memory formation. Some studies demonstrate a complex interplay among the cholinergic system, ERK and mTOR. It has been shown that co-activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and β-adrenergic receptors facilitates the conversion of short term to long term synaptic plasticity through an ERK- and mTOR-dependent mechanism which requires translation initiation. It seems therefore that the complex interplay among the cholinergic system, ERK and mTOR is crucial in the development of new inhibitory avoidance memories in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Pepeu
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
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Acute effects of restraint, shock and training in the elevated T-Maze on noradrenaline and serotonin systems of the prefrontal cortex. ACTA COLOMBIANA DE PSICOLOGIA 2014. [DOI: 10.14718/acp.2014.17.2.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) participates in cognitive functions and stress regulation. Noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in some regions of the central nervous system are modified by acute stress. The effects depend on the type of stressor and the time elapsed between the presence of the stressor and the assessment. The aims of the present study were to assess the acute effect of different stressors on NA and 5-HT activities in the PFC and its relation with corticosterone levels. Independent groups of male Wistar rats (250-280 g) were submitted to restraint, footshock or training in the elevated T-maze (ETMT). The animals were sacrificed immediately (T0) or one hour (T1) after stress exposure. An untreated group sacrificed concurrently with treated animals was included as control. Samples of the PFC were dissected and the concentration of NA, 5-HT and their metabolites were measured by HPLC. Corticosterone levels were measured in serum. None of the treatments modified NA levels in the PFC. Animals exposed to footshock or ETMT showed significantly higher concentrations of 5-HT at T0. Restraint and footshock treatments were associated with higher corticosterone levels at T0 and T1 after the respective treatment. Taken together the results show that in the PFC, the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems, and the corticosterone levels respond in different ways to different stressors.
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Garín-Aguilar ME, Medina AC, Quirarte GL, McGaugh JL, Prado-Alcalá RA. Intense aversive training protects memory from the amnestic effects of hippocampal inactivation. Hippocampus 2013; 24:102-12. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- María E. Garín-Aguilar
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México; México
| | - Andrea C. Medina
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro; México
| | - Gina L. Quirarte
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro; México
| | - James L. McGaugh
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior; University of California; Irvine California
| | - Roberto A. Prado-Alcalá
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro; México
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Aerobic exercise attenuates inhibitory avoidance memory deficit induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation in rats. Brain Res 2013; 1529:66-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Klinkenberg I, Blokland A. The validity of scopolamine as a pharmacological model for cognitive impairment: A review of animal behavioral studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010; 34:1307-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Galindo LE, Garín-Aguilar ME, Medina AC, Serafín N, Quirarte GL, Prado-Alcalá RA. Acquisition and retention of enhanced active avoidance are unaffected by interference with serotonergic activity. Behav Brain Res 2008; 195:153-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2008] [Revised: 01/21/2008] [Accepted: 01/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ferreira TL, Shammah-Lagnado SJ, Bueno OFA, Moreira KM, Fornari RV, Oliveira MGM. The indirect amygdala-dorsal striatum pathway mediates conditioned freezing: insights on emotional memory networks. Neuroscience 2008; 153:84-94. [PMID: 18367339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2007] [Revised: 01/23/2008] [Accepted: 02/11/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal striatum (DS) is involved in various forms of learning and memory such as procedural learning, habit learning, reward-association and emotional learning. We have previously reported that bilateral DS lesions disrupt tone fear conditioning (TFC), but not contextual fear conditioning (CFC) [Ferreira TL, Moreira KM, Ikeda DC, Bueno OFA, Oliveira MGM (2003) Effects of dorsal striatum lesions in tone fear conditioning and contextual fear conditioning. Brain Res 987:17-24]. To further elucidate the participation of DS in emotional learning, in the present study, we investigated the effects of bilateral pretest (postraining) electrolytic DS lesions on TFC. Given the well-acknowledged role of the amygdala in emotional learning, we also examined a possible cooperation between DS and the amygdala in TFC, by using asymmetrical electrolytic lesions, consisting of a unilateral lesion of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) combined to a contralateral DS lesion. The results show that pre-test bilateral DS lesions disrupt TFC responses, suggesting that DS plays a role in the expression of TFC. More importantly, rats with asymmetrical pre-training lesions were impaired in TFC, but not in CFC tasks. This result was confirmed with muscimol asymmetrical microinjections in DS and CeA, which reversibly inactivate these structures. On the other hand, similar pretest lesions as well as unilateral electrolytic lesions of CeA and DS in the same hemisphere did not affect TFC. Possible anatomical substrates underlying the observed effects are proposed. Overall, the present results underscore that other routes, aside from the well-established CeA projections to the periaqueductal gray, may contribute to the acquisition/consolidation of the freezing response associated to a TFC task. It is suggested that CeA may presumably influence DS processing via a synaptic relay on dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra compacta and retrorubral nucleus. The present observations are also in line with other studies showing that TFC and CFC responses are mediated by different anatomical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Ferreira
- Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, CEP 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
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Solana-Figueroa R, Salado-Castillo R, Quirarte GL, Galindo LE, Prado-Alcalá RA. Enhanced inhibitory avoidance training protects against the amnesic effect of p-chloroamphetamine. Life Sci 2002; 71:391-9. [PMID: 12044839 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01684-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of acetylcholine (ACh) to memory processing is well documented, but it has been proposed that it is not necessary for memory consolidation after an enhanced learning experience. It has been suggested that serotonin (5-HT) interacts with ACh during memory consolidation, although the nature of this interaction is unknown in the case of strong learning. As an initial approach to the study of these interactions, we determined whether training of inhibitory avoidance using relatively high aversive stimulation protects against the typical retention deficits produced by pre-training administration of the 5-HT releaser p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). Rats were trained after intraperitoneal administration of PCA or isotonic saline, using 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 mA and retention of the task was measured 24 h later. A significant amnesic state was observed only in the PCA groups that had been trained with the two lower intensities. These results indicate that 5-HT systems behave similarly to ACh systems, in the sense that the amnesic effect produced by interference with their physiological activity may be cancelled when animals are submitted to an intense learning situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Solana-Figueroa
- Institute of Neurobiology, National University of México, P.O. Box 70-228, México, D.F. 04510, Mexico
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Quirarte GL, Cruz-Morales SE, Cepeda A, García-Montañez M, Roldán-Roldán G, Prado-Alcalá RA. Effects of central muscarinic blockade on passive avoidance: anterograde amnesia, state dependency, or both? BEHAVIORAL AND NEURAL BIOLOGY 1994; 62:15-20. [PMID: 7945140 DOI: 10.1016/s0163-1047(05)80054-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
It was recently reported that administration of relatively high intensities of footshock (overreinforcement) during training of passive avoidance protected animals against the amnesic effect of scopolamine, injected 5 min after training. This was interpreted in terms of a lesser involvement of acetylcholine in memory consolidation. An alternative explanation was that overreinforcement accelerated the consolidation process, which could have taken place before the injection of scopolamine. To test for this possibility, male Wistar rats were injected with 4, 8, or 12 mg/kg of scopolamine, 5 min before training with low or high levels of footshock and then tested for retention of the task. Scopolamine induced the expected memory deficit after the low-intensity footshock; after overreinforcement the higher doses of scopolamine induced state dependency, while no deficits were produced with the lower dose. It was concluded that: (a) acetylcholine is indeed involved in memory consolidation of passive avoidance; (b) scopolamine interacts with high footshock levels to produce state dependency; and (c) when relatively low doses of scopolamine are used in conditions of overreinforcement, protection against scopolamine-induced amnesia becomes evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Quirarte
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Mexico, D.F., Mexico
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Prado-Alcalá RA, Haiek M, Rivas S, Roldan-Roldan G, Quirarte GL. Reversal of extinction by scopolamine. Physiol Behav 1994; 56:27-30. [PMID: 8084904 DOI: 10.1016/0031-9384(94)90257-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of muscarinic blockade on extinction of passive avoidance conditioning. Rats were trained with a foot shock of 2.5, 3.0, or 6.0 mA and were tested for retention for 8 weeks (once weekly). Five minutes before the seventh test they were injected with 8 mg/kg scopolamine. The groups that had been trained with 2.5 and 3.0 mA showed extinction, which was reversed by the scopolamine; the overreinforced group (6.0 mA) did not show extinction and the scopolamine did not alter the conditioned response. The data support the hypothesis that extinction represents the learning of a new response sustained by a set of cholinergic neurons, different from that which mediated original passive avoidance learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Prado-Alcalá
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Mexico, D.F. Mexico
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Cruz-Morales SE, Quirarte GL, Diaz del Guante MA, Prado-Alcalá RA. Effects of GABA antagonists on inhibitory avoidance. Life Sci 1993; 53:1325-30. [PMID: 8412493 DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(93)90578-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Experimental data indicate that GABA is involved in memory processes. However there are marked inconsistencies in the reported effects of interference with GABA synaptic activity on memory consolidation of aversively-motivated tasks. Both amnesia and improvement of performance have been reported after treatment with GABA antagonists. These contradictory effects could be explained by procedural differences in training. To test for this possibility rats were trained in passive avoidance using two levels of footshock and injected with a wide range of doses of picrotoxin and bicuculline. Picrotoxin did not modify the conditioned response while bicuculline induced amnesia only with the lower doses at both low and high footshock intensities. It was concluded that GABA is involved in memory consolidation, and that the conflicting results in the literature are indeed due, in part, to procedural differences, and also to the mode of action of these drugs.
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Quirarte GL, Cruz-Morales SE, Diaz del Guante MA, Garcia M, Prado-Alcalá RA. Protective effect of under-reinforcement of passive avoidance against scopolamine-induced amnesia. Brain Res Bull 1993; 32:521-4. [PMID: 8221146 DOI: 10.1016/0361-9230(93)90301-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Administration of antimuscarinic drugs induces amnesia of aversively motivated behaviors. However, when relatively high intensities of footshock are used during training (over-reinforcement), animals become protected against such amnesic state. Moreover, the protective effect is established in a none-or-all fashion, i.e., within a series of increasing intensities a minute augmentation of footshock intensity is sufficient to reach the protective threshold. In the present experiment it was found that very low intensities of aversive stimulation (under-reinforcement), sufficient to produce learning, also protected animals from scopolamine-induced amnesia. These results suggest that acetylcholine is critically involved in memory consolidation of passive avoidance, but only within a limited range of training intensities.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Quirarte
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Guadalajara, México
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