Comparison of Long-Evans and Wistar rats in sensitivity to central cholinergic blockade with scopolamine in two spatial tasks: an active place avoidance and the Morris water maze
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
23831741
DOI
10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.06.024
PII: S0031-9384(13)00221-7
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Behavioral pharmacology, Inter-strain differences, Learning, Long-Evans, Scopolamine, Spatial navigation, Wistar,
- MeSH
- Muscarinic Antagonists pharmacology MeSH
- Maze Learning drug effects MeSH
- Electroshock MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Motor Activity drug effects MeSH
- Rats, Long-Evans MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Psychomotor Performance drug effects MeSH
- Scopolamine pharmacology MeSH
- Avoidance Learning drug effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Muscarinic Antagonists MeSH
- Scopolamine MeSH
Place navigation is essential for an animal's survival and this behavior has attracted the attention of scientists focused on the neural and neuropharmacological bases of learning and memory. Many navigational tests are employed today, such as the Morris water maze (MWM) which demands a precise representation of an unmarked place. Another spatial paradigm is the active place avoidance task. It requires mainly cognitive coordination in contrast to the MWM. Various rat strains are used in the research of animal models of cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to compare sensitivity to the administration of higher doses (1.5mg/kg and 3mg/kg) of the central cholinergic blocker, scopolamine in outbred Long-Evans and Wistar rats. The results showed that while Wistar rats were more strongly affected by cholinergic blockade in the active place avoidance than Long-Evans rats, no differences were seen in the MWM. Long-Evans rats also showed better baseline performance in the active place avoidance and visible platform versions of the MWM (the latter suggesting better vision). This study demonstrated task-specific inter-strain differences in sensitivity to central cholinergic blockade in an active place avoidance task requiring cognitive coordination.
References provided by Crossref.org
Drugs Interfering with Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Their Effects on Place Navigation
