Hippocampal alpha7 nicotinic receptors modulate memory reconsolidation of an inhibitory avoidance task in mice: possible participation of the MAPK pathway

KRAWCZYK MC; FELD M; NAVARRO N; BARATTI CM; BLAKE MG; BOCCIA MM

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; XXIX Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias

CF-1 male mice were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task using a high footshock (1.2 mA, 1s). A retention test was given 48 hours later. Immediately after it, mice were given intra-dorsal hippocampus infusions of either choline (Ch, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, 0.08 μg/hippocampus), PD098059 (PD, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, 0.10 - 1.00 μg/hippocampus) or a cocktail of Ch (0.08 μg/hippocampus) and PD (0.1- 1.00 μg/hippocampus). Memory retention was tested again 24 h later. Ch and PD impaired retention performance. Ch effects were reversed by PD in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that hippocampal α7nAChRs play a critical role in reconsolidation of an inhibitory avoidance response in mice and that these effects might be mediated, at least in part, by an activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.