prelimbic of medial prefrontal cortex GABA modulation through testosterone on spatial learning ...

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in multiple functions including attentional , spatial orientation, short and long-term memory. Our previous study indicated that microinjection of testosterone in CA1 impaired spatial learning and memory. Some evidence suggests that impairment effect of testosterone is mediated by GABAergic system. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of testosterone (androgenic receptor agonist) and bicuculline (GABAA receptor antagonist) on spatial learning and memory in the prelimbic (PL) of rats. Cannulae were bilaterally implanted into the PL region of PFC and drugs were daily microinjected for two minutes in each side. There are 4 experiments. In the first experiment, three groups sham operated (solvent of testosterone, bicuculline, testosterone plus bicuculline). In the second experiment, different doses of testosterone (40, 80μg /0.5μl DMSO/each side) were injected into the PL before each session. In the third experiment, intra PL injections of bicuculline (2, 4μg/0.5μl DMSO/each side) were given before every session. In the last experiment, testosterone (80μg/0.5μl DMSO/each side) along with bicuculline (2μg/0.5μl DMSO/each side) was injected into the PL. The results showed there is no differences between control and sham operated group. Testosterone 80μg and bicuculline 2μg, each given separately, and also in combination increased escape latency to find the platform compared to the sham operated and c...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research