Differences in Learning and Memory between middle-aged female and male rats

NATALIA CLAUDIA COLETTIS; MARTIN HABIF; MARIA VICTORIA OBERHOLZER; FEDERICO FILIPPIN; DIANA ALICIA JERUSALINSKY

LEARNING & MEMORY (COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y.)

COLD SPRING HARBOR LAB PRESS

Año: 2022

1072-0502

We observed differences in cognitive functions between middle-aged female and male Wistar rats. Both (like youngsters) discriminated new vs. familiar objects, showing similar short and long-term memory (STM; LTM). Only females show robust LTM for new location of an object. Both successfully form LTM of inhibitory avoidance, though males appeared to be amnesic for memory persistence. Habituation, locomotion, horizontal exploration, ?stereotypies?, fear and anxiety-like behavior were similar for both, whilst vertical exploration was significantly higher in middle-aged and younger females. Therefore, sex-dependent differences in some cognitive functions and behaviors must be considered when designing and interpreting learning and memory studies.