Facilitation of long-term object recognition memory by pretraining administration of diphenyl diselenide in mice

Abstract

Selenium compounds display antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Diphenyl diselenide (PhSe) 2 is an organic selenium compound that affects a number of neuronal processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the systemic administration of (PhSe) 2 on novel object recognition memory in mice. Adult male CF1 mice were given an i.p. injection of (PhSe) 2 (0.2, 1.0, 5.0, or 25.0 μmol/kg) 30 min before training in an object recognition task. (PhSe) 2 did not affect short-term memory or the total time exploring both objects, but induced a facilitation of retention measured 24 h after training. The present findings show that systemic administration of (PhSe) 2 induces a facilitation of formation of long-term object recognition memory.