PREGNENOLONE IN LATERAL SEPTUM NUCLEUS AFFECTS MEMORY ACQUISITION OF MALE RATS VIA MODULATION OF GABAERGIC SYSTEM IN A PASSIVE AVOIDANCE TEST

GARCIA, S; NANFARO, F; CASAS, S; CABRERA, R; YUNES, R

Huerta Grande -Córdoba

Congreso; XXVI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentinas de Investigación en Neurociencias; 2011

SAN

Pregnenolone (Preg) is a neuroactive steroid (NS) that plays a role in memory, among other functions. Previous results indicated that Preg injected into the lateral septum nucleus (LSN) impairs memory acquisition in an aversive memory paradigm. Our present objective was to study ?in the same model? agonists and antagonists of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, according to the following groups: 1) Control; 2) Ap7 1 μg/μl); 3) Bicuculine 9,8 μg/μl and 4) Muscimol 0,25 μg/μl. Injection of reagents (1μL) was done via a cannula implanted in the right LSN 30 min before training. After 24 hs the subjects were tested for retention. Our results showed that both muscimol and Ap7 have an amnesic effect, while bicuculine showed no effect compared to the control group. It is important to note that any of the experimental groups did not affect any other significant behavior (motivation, motility and anxiety). It is possible to think of LSN requiring a delicate balance between glutamatergic and GABAergic actions, since the GABAergic agonist Preg disrupts this poise and impairs the acquisition of memory.