Reversal of Object Recognition Memory Deficit in Perirhinal Cortex-Lesioned Rats and Primates and in Rodent Models of Aging and Alzheimer’s Diseases

Abstract

The integrity of the perirhinal cortex (PRh) is essential for object recognition memory (ORM) function, and damage to this brain area in animals and humans induces irreversible ORM deficits. Here, we show that activation of area V2, a brain area interconnected with brain circuits of ventral stream and medial temporal lobe that sustain ORM, by expression of regulator of G-protein signaling 14 of 414 amino acids (RGS14414) restored ORM in memory-deficient PRh-lesioned rats and nonhuman primates. Furthermore, this treatment was sufficient for full recovery of ORM in rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease, conditions thought to affect multiple brain areas. Thus, RGS14414-mediated activation of area V2 has therapeutic relevance in the recovery of recognition memory, a type of memory that is primarily affected in patients or individuals with symptoms of memory dysfunction. These findings suggest that area V2 modulates the processing of memory-related information through activation of interconnected brain circuits formed by the participation of distinct brain areas.