Insular Cortical Grafts: Factors Affecting the Recovery of Learning

Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni,Martha Escobar,Ricardo Tapia,Marcia Hiriart

doi:10.1155/np.1992.330

Abstract

tractus solitarius (the first-order relay for visceral information). The IC also has connections with limbic structures, including the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. Lesions of the IC region in adult rats impair the acquisition and retention of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Recent findings showing that N-methylD-aspartate lesions of the IC disrupt the acquisition of inhibitory (passive) avoidance tasks, indicate that the IC is also involved in exteronociceptive-based learning. Our research has focused on the recovery of the acquisition of conditioned taste aversion and inhibitory avoidance learning task, by fetal brain grafts in IC-lesioned animals. In a first series of experiments, we have shown that cortical brain grafts produced a significant recovery in the ability to learn in IC-lesioned animals. The recovery induced by fetal brain grafts was related to the origin of the graft tissue used. That is, animals that received homotopic (IC), but not occipital cortical tissue recovered the capability

Highlights

Our research has focused on the recovery of the acquisition of conditioned taste aversion and inhibitory avoidance learning task, by fetal brain grafts in insular cortex (IC)-lesioned animals
In a first series of experiments, we have shown that cortical brain grafts produced a significant recovery in the ability to learn in IC-lesioned animals
At 30, 45 and 60 days post-graft, there were an increasing number of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled cells, almost as many as those seen in the controls, in the thalamus and the amygdala

Summary

Introduction

Insular Cortical Grafts: Factors Affecting the Recovery of Learning Our research has focused on the recovery of the acquisition of conditioned taste aversion and inhibitory avoidance learning task, by fetal brain grafts in IC-lesioned animals. In a first series of experiments, we have shown that cortical brain grafts produced a significant recovery in the ability to learn in IC-lesioned animals.

Results

Conclusion