Desinhibitory effect of allopregnanolone within the medial prefrontal cortex of male rats on the plus maze test

GUILLERMO CASTELLER; MIRIAM FRAILE; MYRIAM LACONI; ADRIANA I. LANDA; RICARDO CABRERA; PASCUAL A.GARGIULO

International Journal of Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration

American Cientific Publisher

Año: 2006 vol. 2 p. 120 - 126

1745-1183

Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present paper is to study the behavioral effects of injection of Allopregnanolone (ALLO), a neurosteroid derived from progesterone, on performance in the plusmaze test. It was studied in male rats injected into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).The aim of the present paper is to study the behavioral effects of injection of Allopregnanolone (ALLO), a neurosteroid derived from progesterone, on performance in the plusmaze test. It was studied in male rats injected into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methodology: The rats, bilaterally cannulated into the mPFC, were divided into 3 groups and received either injections of vehicle, or ALLO (0.06 and 0.6 mM solution) 30 min before testing. Time spent in open arm, time spent in the distal extreme, time per entry, total arm entries, preference index, open arm entries and closed arm entries were recorded.: The rats, bilaterally cannulated into the mPFC, were divided into 3 groups and received either injections of vehicle, or ALLO (0.06 and 0.6 mM solution) 30 min before testing. Time spent in open arm, time spent in the distal extreme, time per entry, total arm entries, preference index, open arm entries and closed arm entries were recorded. Results: Time spent in the open arm was increased with both doses of ALLO (p