Training Dependent Changes in Spatial Memory and Zif268 Expression in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex

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Event Abstract Back to Event Training Dependent Changes in Spatial Memory and Zif268 Expression in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex Francesca R. Farina1* and Sean Commins1 1 Maynooth University, Psychology, Ireland Immediate early genes (IEGs) are strongly implicated in learning‐related plasticity and memory formation (Tischmeyer & Grimm, 1999). Research has demonstrated that activation of IEGs in the hippocampus correlates highly with spatial memory performance (Guzowski et al., 2001). Our aim was to illustrate training dependent changes in spatial memory retention and IEG expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Rats were trained to locate a hidden platform in the Morris water maze for five or ten days using two visual, distal cues. Twenty-four hours post-acquisition animals were divided into 4 groups and retested (n = 8/group). Two groups that had been trained for five and ten days, respectively, were tested in the presence of both cues (as per acquisition). The two remaining groups, also having been trained for five and ten days, respectively, were tested with only one cue present. Ninety minutes post‐retention, brains were removed and processed for expression of the well-known IEG Zif268. Behavioural results demonstrated that all animals acquired the task. Further, groups retested in the presence of two cues showed strong retention irrespective of training length. Of the groups tested with one cue, only the group trained for ten days showed good retention. Interestingly, significantly higher Zif268 expression was found in all brain regions for the one cue group compared to the control group after five days. This group difference disappeared after 10 days of training. Findings indicate training‐related behavioural changes which may correspond to a shift in regional IEG expression over time. Acknowledgements This research is funded by the Maynooth University Doctoral Teaching Scholarship. References Guzowski et al. (2001). Experience-Dependent Gene Expression in the Rat Hippocampus after Spatial Learning: A Comparison of the Immediate-Early Genes Arc, c-fos, and zif268. The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(14), 5089–5098. Tischmeyer, W. & Grimm, R. (1999). Activation of immediate early genes and memory formation. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 55, 564–574. Keywords: Hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), Zif268 expression, spatial memory, water maze Conference: Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 , Dublin, Ireland, 20 Sep - 20 Sep, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Early Career Neuroscience Citation: Farina FR and Commins S (2014). Training Dependent Changes in Spatial Memory and Zif268 Expression in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 . doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2014.87.00033 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 16 Sep 2014; Published Online: 16 Sep 2014. * Correspondence: Ms. Francesca R Farina, Maynooth University, Psychology, Maynooth, Ireland, francesca.farina@gbhi.org Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Francesca R Farina Sean Commins Google Francesca R Farina Sean Commins Google Scholar Francesca R Farina Sean Commins PubMed Francesca R Farina Sean Commins Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.