Object location memory in mice: pharmacological validation and further evidence of hippocampal CA1 participation

FL Assini, M Duzzioni, RN Takahashi - Behavioural brain research, 2009 - Elsevier
FL Assini, M Duzzioni, RN Takahashi
Behavioural brain research, 2009Elsevier
Object location task (OLT) has been used as a model of hippocampal-dependent memory.
Despite this application, there is neither a consistent pharmacological validation of NMDA
receptor modulation nor an evaluation of hippocampal participation in mice. In the OLT, mice
were placed in the open field with two identical objects for 3min and, after a delay of 30, 90,
180 or 360min, one object was moved to a new location and the time spent exploring the
objects in new,(novel) and old (familiar) locations was recorded. Our results showed that the …
Object location task (OLT) has been used as a model of hippocampal-dependent memory. Despite this application, there is neither a consistent pharmacological validation of NMDA receptor modulation nor an evaluation of hippocampal participation in mice. In the OLT, mice were placed in the open field with two identical objects for 3min and, after a delay of 30, 90, 180 or 360min, one object was moved to a new location and the time spent exploring the objects in new, (novel) and old (familiar) locations was recorded. Our results showed that the mice were able to discriminate object location when tested either 90 or 180min after training. Intraperitoneal administration of MK801 (NMDA receptors antagonist) or scopolamine (mACh antagonist) induced amnesic effects. On the other hand, d-cycloserine (NMDA agonist) or tacrine (cholinesterase inhibitor) were able to improve memory in the mice tested. In addition, lidocaine infusion in the hippocampal CA1 region 10min before training blocked object location memory. In short, this work indicates that OLT is susceptible to modulation of NMDA receptors, cholinergic neurotransmission and it is the first to characterize the participation of the hippocampal CA1 region, in this task.
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