5-HT6 receptor agonist EMD386088 impairs behavioral flexibility and working memory.

5-HT6 receptor agonist EMD386088 impairs behavioral flexibility and working memory. Behav Brain Res. 2018 Apr 28;: Authors: Amodeo DA, Peterson S, Pahua A, Posadas R, Hernandez A, Hefner E, Qi D, Vega J Abstract Serotonin 6 (5-HT6) receptors are primarily expressed in the central nervous system and to even further extent brain regions responsible for learning and memory. Recent studies have demonstrated 5-HT6 receptor involvement in pathophysiological processes highlighting their therapeutic possibilities. Most research concerning the effects of 5-HT6 receptor modulation has focused on blockade despite paradoxical findings that 5-HT6 agonists and antagonists can both have pro-cognitive effects. The current experiments examine the effects of the 5-HT6 receptor agonist EMD386088 on behavioral flexibility and working memory. C57BL/6J mice received systemic injections of either 0, 2, or 4 mg/kg EMD386088 before being tested on probabilistic reversal learning, spontaneous alternation, and locomotor activity. In the probabilistic reversal learning task, the high dose of 4 mg/kg significantly impaired performance requiring more trials to reach criterion. The same dose significantly increased perseverative type errors, suggesting that the probabilistic reversal learning impairment was due to an inability to inhibit the previously learned choice pattern rather than maintaining the new optimal choice pattern. Acute EMD386088 administration...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research