scholarly journals Acquisition of Spatial Search Strategies and Reversal Learning in the Morris Water Maze Depend on Disparate Brain Functional Connectivity in Mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 4519-4529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Disha Shah ◽  
Marleen Verhoye ◽  
Annemie Van der Linden ◽  
Rudi D’Hooge
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Reversal Learning ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Spatial Strategies ◽  
Small Animal Mri

Abstract Learning has been proposed to coincide with changes in connections between brain regions. In the present study, we used resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) to map brain-wide functional connectivity (FC) in mice that were trained in the hidden-platform version of the Morris water maze. C57BL6 mice were investigated in a small animal MRI scanner following 2, 10, or 15 days of acquisition learning, or 5 days of reversal learning. Spatial learning coincided with progressive and changing FC between telencephalic regions that have been implemented in spatial learning (such as hippocampus, cingulate, visual, and motor cortex). Search strategy assessment demonstrated that the use of cognitively advanced spatial strategies correlated positively with extensive telencephalic connectivity, whereas non-spatial strategies correlated negatively with connectivity. FC patterns were different and more extensive after reversal learning compared with after extended acquisition learning, which could explain why reversal learning has been shown to be more sensitive to subtle functional defects.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Activity of Choline Acetyltransferase From Different Synaptosomal Fractions at the Distinct Stages of Spatial Learning in the Morris Water Maze

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zinaida I. Storozheva ◽  
Elena I. Zakharova ◽  
Andrey T. Proshin
Keyword(s):  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Reversal Learning ◽  
Choline Acetyltransferase ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Memory Trace ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Individual Level

Accumulated data have evidenced that brain cholinergic circuits play a crucial role in learning and memory; however, our knowledge about the participation of neocortical and hippocampal cholinergic systems in spatial learning needs to be refined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the activity of membrane-bound and soluble choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the synaptosomal sub-fractions of the neocortex and hippocampus with performance of the spatial navigation task in the Morris water maze at different temporal stages of memory trace formation. To identify distinct stages of memory formation, rats were trained using a 5-day protocol with four trials per day. The mean escape latency for each trial was collected, and the entire dataset was subjected to principal component analysis. Based on the Morris water maze protocol, there were three relatively distinct stages of memory formation: days 1–2, day 3, and days 4–5. The remotely stored memory trace tested in repeated and reversal learning beginning on day 19 (14 days after the end of initial learning) was associated at the individual level mainly with performance during the second trial on day 21 (the third day or repeated or reversal learning). The ChAT activity data suggest the participation of cortical cholinergic projections mainly in the first stage of spatial learning (automatic sensory processing) and the involvement of hippocampal interneurons in the second stage (error-corrected learning). Cholinergic cortical interneurons participated mainly in the stage of asymptotic performance (days 4–5). It is advisable to evaluate other signalling pathways at the identified stages of memory formation.

Intrahippocampal co-administration of nicotine and O-acetyl-L-carnitine prevents the H-89-induced spatial learning deficits in Morris water maze

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hashemzaei ◽  
Najmeh Baratzadeh ◽  
Iraj Sharamian ◽  
Sahar Fanoudi ◽  
Mehdi Sanati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Deionized Water ◽  
Learning Deficits ◽  
Learning Impairments ◽  
Morris Water Maze Task

Abstract Objectives H-89 (a protein kinase AII [PKA II] inhibitor) impairs the spatial memory in the Morris water maze task in rats. In the present study, we aimed to study the protective effects of nicotine and O-acetyl-L-carnitine against H-89-induced spatial memory deficits. Methods Spatial memory impairment was induced by the bilateral intrahippocampal administration of 10 µM H-89 (dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) to rats. The rats then received bilateral administrations of either nicotine (1 μg/μL, dissolved in saline) or O-acetyl-L-carnitine (100 μM/side, dissolved in deionized water) alone and in combination. Control groups received either saline, deionized water, or DMSO. Results The H-89-treated animals showed significant increases in the time and distance travelled to find hidden platforms, and there was also a significant decrease in the time spent in the target quadrant compared to DMSO-treated animals. Nicotine and O-acetyl-L-carnitine had no significant effects on H-89-induced spatial learning impairments alone, but the bilateral intrahippocampal co-administration of nicotine and O-acetyl-L-carnitine prevented H-89-induced spatial learning deficits and increased the time spent in the target quadrant in comparison with H-89-treated animals. Conclusions Our results indicated the potential synergistic effects of nicotine and O-acetyl-L-carnitine in preventing protein kinase AII inhibitor (H-89)-induced spatial learning impairments.

scholarly journals Interactive involvement of hippocampal cAMP/PKA and cyclooxygenase-2 signaling pathways in spatial learning in the Morris water maze

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaveh Tabrizian ◽  
Mahmoud Hashemzaei ◽  
Ali Akbar Nasiri ◽  
Sheyda Najafi ◽  
Fatemeh Amelinia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Cyclooxygenase 2

scholarly journals Effects of long-term cocaine self-administration on brain resting-state functional connectivity in nonhuman primates

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Kohut ◽  
Dionyssios Mintzopoulos ◽  
Brian D. Kangas ◽  
Hannah Shields ◽  
Kelly Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Chronic Cocaine

AbstractLong-term cocaine use is associated with a variety of neural and behavioral deficits that impact daily function. This study was conducted to examine the effects of chronic cocaine self-administration on resting-state functional connectivity of the dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) and putamen—two brain regions involved in cognitive function and motoric behavior—identified in a whole brain analysis. Six adult male squirrel monkeys self-administered cocaine (0.32 mg/kg/inj) over 140 sessions. Six additional monkeys that had not received any drug treatment for ~1.5 years served as drug-free controls. Resting-state fMRI imaging sessions at 9.4 Tesla were conducted under isoflurane anesthesia. Functional connectivity maps were derived using seed regions placed in the left dACC or putamen. Results show that cocaine maintained robust self-administration with an average total intake of 367 mg/kg (range: 299–424 mg/kg). In the cocaine group, functional connectivity between the dACC seed and regions primarily involved in motoric behavior was weaker, whereas connectivity between the dACC seed and areas implicated in reward and cognitive processing was stronger. In the putamen seed, weaker widespread connectivity was found between the putamen and other motor regions as well as with prefrontal areas that regulate higher-order executive function; stronger connectivity was found with reward-related regions. dACC connectivity was associated with total cocaine intake. These data indicate that functional connectivity between regions involved in motor, reward, and cognitive processing differed between subjects with recent histories of cocaine self-administration and controls; in dACC, connectivity appears to be related to cumulative cocaine dosage during chronic exposure.

A role for 5-ht6 receptors in retention of spatial learning in the Morris water maze

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L Woolley ◽  
J.C Bentley ◽  
A.J Sleight ◽  
C.A Marsden ◽  
K.C.F Fone
Keyword(s):  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Water Maze

scholarly journals Timing-Dependent Protection of Swimming Exercise against d-Galactose-Induced Aging-Like Impairments in Spatial Learning/Memory in Rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Li ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Shuling Zhang ◽  
Xiang Hu ◽  
Huijun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Swimming Exercise ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Creb Protein

This study was designed to investigate beneficial effects of swimming exercise training on learning/memory, synaptic plasticity and CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) expression in hippocampus in a rat model of d-galactose-induced aging (DGA). Eighty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: Saline Control (group C), DGA (group A), Swimming exercise before DGA (group S1), and Swimming during DGA (group S2). These four groups of animals were further divided into Morris water maze training group (M subgroup) and sedentary control group (N subgroup). Spatial learning/memory was tested using Morris water maze training. The number and density of synaptophysin (Syp) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) in hippocampal dentate gyrus area, CREB mRNA and protein expression and DNA methylation levels were determined respectively with immunohistochemistry, western blot, real-time PCR, and MassArray methylation detection platform. We found that compared with group C, DGA rats showed aging-like poor health and weight loss as well as hippocampal neurodegenerative characteristics. Exercise training led to a time-dependent decrease in average escape latency and improved spatial memory. Exercise training group (S2M) had significantly increased swim distance as compared with controls. These functional improvements in S2M group were associated with higher Syp and mGluR1 values in hippocampus (p < 0.01) as well as higher levels of hippocampal CREB protein/mRNA expression and gene methylation. In conclusion, swimming exercise training selectively during drug-induced aging process protected hippocampal neurons against DGA-elicited degenerative changes and in turn maintained neuronal synaptic plasticity and learning/memory function, possibly through upregulation of hippocampal CREB protein/mRNA and reduction of DGA-induced methylation of CREB.

scholarly journals Hyperthermia-Induced Febrile Seizures Have Moderate and Transient Effects on Spatial Learning in Immature Rats

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawel Yagoubi ◽  
Yosra Jomni ◽  
Mohsen Sakly
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Febrile Seizures ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Spatial Learning And Memory ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Hyperthermia Treatment ◽  
Immature Rats

The aim of this study was to characterize a novel animal model hyperthermia-induced febrile seizure and to investigate the impacts of repetitive febrile seizures on spatial learning and memory performances in immature rats.Methods. Rats were subjected to hyperthermia exposure one, two, or three times in 10-day intervals during 30 min in a water bath warmed at 45–50°C and their behaviour was monitored. Morris water maze spatial learning and memory were examined for control and treated groups. Results showed that rats subjected to 30-minute hyperthermia hot water developed rapidly myoclonic jerks and then generalized seizures. After a single hyperthermia exposure, the time for generalised tonic-clonic seizures appearance was 16.08 ± 0.60 min and it decreased gradually with repetitive exposure to reach 12.46 ± 0.39 min by the third exposure. Febrile seizures altered the spatial learning and memory abilities in Morris water maze and increased the time spent to attain the platform after one or two exposures, while after a third exposure rats exhibited the same latency compared to controls. Similar results were obtained in probe test where rats, subjected to hyperthermia for one or two episodes, spent less time in the target quadrant compared to corresponding controls. Further, when platform was moved from northwest to southwest quadrant, memory transfer test indicated that after one or two hyperthermia exposures cognitive performances were slightly altered, while after a third exposure the latency to escape increased significantly compared to untreated group. It was concluded that 30 min of hyperthermia hot water was sufficient to induce febrile seizures in immature rats and an increase of susceptibility was observed with repetitive hyperthermia exposure. Hyperthermia treatment impaired cognitive performances but the effects were mostly transient and moderate.

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