Aversive stimulus attenuates impairment of acquisition in a delayed match to position T-maze task caused by a selective lesion of septo-hippocampal cholinergic projections

DOI

10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.03.011

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-31-2006

Publication Title

Brain Research Bulletin

Volume

69

Issue

6

First Page

660

Last Page

665

ISSN

3619230

Keywords

192 IgG-saporin, Acetylcholine, Arousal, Basal ganglia, Hippocampus, Memory

Abstract

Infusion of 192 IgG-saporin (SAP) into the medial septum (MS) of rats selectively destroys cholinergic neurons projecting to the hippocampus and impairs acquisition of a delayed matching to position (DMP) T-maze task. The present study evaluated whether introduction of a mild aversive stimulus 30 min prior to training would attenuate the deficit in DMP acquisition caused by the SAP lesions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received medial septal infusions of either artificial cerebrospinal fluid or SAP (0.22 μg in 1.0 μl). Fourteen days later, all animals were trained to perform the DMP task. Half of the SAP-treated animals and controls received an intraperitoneal injection of saline each day, 30 min prior to training. Results show that intraperitoneal saline attenuated the impairment in DMP acquisition in SAP lesioned rats. These results suggest that a mild aversive stimulus can attenuate cognitive deficits caused by medial septal cholinergic lesions. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Open Access

Green Accepted

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