Abstract
1. Aged α 2C-adrenoceptor knockout and wild type mice were used to investigate whether α 2C-adrenoceptors are involved in mediating the beneficial effects of α 2-adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, on spatial working memory. 2. A win-stay task in the radial arm maze was used to dissociate the effects of dexmedetomidine on working vs. reference memory. In addition, the animals were tested in simple response habit learning in the T-maze. 3. Knockout mice made more working memory errors after the change of the baited arm in radial arm maze, but after training reached again as accurate level of performance as wild type controls. Dexmedetomidine 5 and 10 μg/kg alleviated the increase in spatial working memory errors after the change of the baited arm in knockout mice. Knockout and wild type mice performed equally well in T-maze, and dexmedetomidine had no effect on this simple response learning. 4. The present results indicate that α 2-adrenoceptor agonists have a selective effect on spatial working memory not only in monkeys but also in mice. Further, this study confirms our earlier finding that the presence of α 2C-adrenoceptors is not necessary for the spatial working memory enhancing effect of α 2-adrenoceptor agonists.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
Disclaimer: 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.