Abstract
Little is known about the effects of methamphetamine (Meth) and buprenorphine (Bup) on memory and learning in rats. The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of Meth and Bup on memory and learning. Fourteen male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g were assigned to four groups: Sham, Meth, Bup, and Meth + Bup and were treated for 1 week. Spatial learning and memory, avoidance learning, and locomotion were assessed using the Morris water maze, passive avoidance learning, and open field tests, respectively. Meth and Bup impaired spatial learning and memory in rats. Co-administration of Meth + Bup did not increase the time spent in the target quadrant compared to Meth alone in the MWM. The Bup and Meh + Bup groups were found with an increase in step-through latency (STLr) and a decrease in the time spent in the dark compartment (TDC). Meth and Bup had no effects on locomotor activity in the open field test. Bup showed a beneficial effect on aversive memory. Since Bup demonstrates fewer side effects than other opioid drugs, it may be preferable for the treatment of avoidance memory deficits in patients with Meth addiction.
Highlights
Methamphetamine (Meth) is an incredibly addictive psychostimulant with devastating effects on the central nervous system (Mori et al, 2006; Melo et al, 2012; Miladi-Gorji et al, 2015)
Escape Latency The results of two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of the drug (P < 0.0001), day (P < 0.0001), but not their interaction (P = 0.21) on the escape latency between groups
Our results indicated that the co-administration of Meth + Bup increased the escape latency in comparison with the Meth group on the fourth day of training (P < 0.01)
Summary
Methamphetamine (Meth) is an incredibly addictive psychostimulant with devastating effects on the central nervous system (Mori et al, 2006; Melo et al, 2012; Miladi-Gorji et al, 2015). The prevalence of Meth abuse, as an escalating public health issue (Melo et al, 2012), has increased dramatically, reaching epidemic proportions worldwide (Camarasa et al, 2010) over the last 20 years (Moenk and Matuszewich, 2012). Meth causes memory deficits concomitant with reducing hippocampal volume and deleterious structural changes within the hippocampus (Krasnova et al, 2010; Moenk and Matuszewich, 2012; Braren et al, 2014) It diminishes cognition (Melo et al, 2012) and causes significant impairment in the performance of hippocampus-dependent spatial tasks, such as the Morris water maze (MWM) (Vorhees et al, 2000; Ghazvini et al, 2016). Some studies have shown that high doses of Meth impaired spatial learning and memory, while lower doses did not (Chen et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
