慢性复合应激性增强空间学习与记忆时突触素Ⅰ在大鼠海马中的表达

目的观察突触素Ⅰ在慢性复合应激性空间学习与记忆增强大鼠海马各亚区表达的变化及其意义.方法成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分成应激组和对照组.采用垂直旋转、剥夺睡眠、噪音刺激和夜间光照4种应激原无规律交替应激动物6周,每天6 h,制作慢性复合应激动物模型.采用Morris水迷宫和Y-迷宫测试大鼠空间学习与记忆成绩,并用免疫组织化学技术显示突触素Ⅰ在慢性复合应激性空间学习与记忆增强大鼠海马中的表达变化.结果结果显示,应激组动物慢性复合应激后在Morris水迷宫内寻找隐蔽平台所需时间(潜伏期)比对照组的明显地短(P<0.05),在Y-迷宫内寻找安全区的正确率比对照组的明显地高(P<0.05);应激组动物慢性复合应激后,其海马齿状回(dentate gyrus,DG)和CA3区突触素I的免疫反应性明显地强于对照组(P<0.05), 两组CA1区突触素I的免疫反应性无明显差别(P>0.05).结论这些结果提示,慢性复合应激可增强大鼠空间学习与记忆能力,突触素Ⅰ在大鼠海马内表达的变化可能参与了大鼠空间学习与记忆增强的机制.     

蛋白激酶Cγ和蛋白磷酸酯酶Aα在慢性复合应激性学习记忆增强大鼠海马中表达的变化

目的 探讨蛋白激酶Cγ(PKCγ)和蛋白磷酸酯酶Aα(PP2B-Aα)在慢性复合应激性学习记忆增强大鼠海马中的表达及其意义。方法 将成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为应激组和对照组,对应激组实行慢性复合应激42d后,用Morris水迷宫,Y-迷宫对2组大鼠进行学习和记忆能力测试,然后用免疫组织化学方法,观察2组大鼠PKCγ和PP2B-Aα的表达,并用计算机图像分析系统对免疫阳性反应结果进行处理。结果 应激组比对照组学习记忆能力明显增强;在海马CA3区PKCγ的免疫反应阳性日月显增强;PP2B-Aα在海马CA1和CA3区的免疫反应阳性明显减弱。结论 海马内PKCγ和PP2B-Aα表达的变化可能参与了慢性复合应激致大鼠学习记忆增强的机制。     

慢性应激对大鼠学习记忆能力和海马LTP的影响

目的和方法：本研究采用一种多因素的２１ｄ慢性应激动物模型,以Ｙ迷宫和ＬＴＰ为指标,探讨慢性应激对运动学习记忆能力和海马神经突触可塑性的影响。结果：长期慢性应激使大鼠空间学习记忆能力下降,而且,使中枢海马齿状回ＬＴＰ的诱生受到抑制。结论：慢性应激可能使大鼠海马齿状回神经突触可塑性降低,并进一步影响到学习记忆的功能。     

慢性疲劳综合征小鼠的空间学习和记忆功能降低

目的对比分析慢性疲劳综合征小鼠与正常小鼠之间空间学习记忆功能存在的差异性。方法采用复合刺激法复制慢性疲劳综合征(CFS)小鼠模型,随后采用Morris水迷宫检测CFS小鼠与正常组小鼠之间空间学习记忆功能存在的差异。结果模型组小鼠寻找隐藏平台的潜伏期、总路程、平均游泳速度及目标象限滞留时间占总时间的百分比均显著低于正常组(P0.05),正常组小鼠寻找隐藏平台主要采用空间搜索策略,而CFS小鼠主要采用重复环绕搜索策略。结论 CFS小鼠的空间学习和记忆功能降低。     

慢性复合应激对大鼠学习和记忆及海马神经元神经颗粒素表达的影响

目的探讨慢性复合应激对大鼠学习和记忆功能及海马内神经元神经颗粒素(neurogranin,Ng)表达的影响。方法成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组和复合应激组,复合应激组动物每天无规律交替暴露于复合应激原环境中,为期6周。应激结束后,用Morris水迷宫测试大鼠空间学习和记忆成绩,同时用免疫组织化学方法观察海马各亚区Ng表达的变化,并用RT-PCR技术分析各组大鼠海马Ng mRNA水平的变化。结果Morris水迷宫测试显示,应激组动物寻找隐蔽平台潜伏期明显短于对照组(P<0.05);应激组大鼠海马DG和CA3区Ng的蛋白表达水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而两组海马CA1区的Ng的免疫反应性无明显差别;与对照组相比,应激组动物的Ng mRNA水平亦明显上调(P<0.05)。结论慢性复合性应激大鼠的学习与记忆能力增强;Ng在海马中的表达和Ng mRNA转录水平增高,提示Ng参与了该增强机制。     

磁场对小鼠两种迷宫学习记忆的影响

据发现,磁场对生物体有一定作用,但是磁场对于人类或实验动物的学习记忆是否有影响,目前的报道结果很不一致。本实验采用实验小白鼠,给予不同强度（65高斯／50Hz,35高斯/25Hz）的低频磁场照射（每天1小时,持续25天）。磁场照射后,采用旷场行为测试、Y-迷宫和Morris水迷宫,检测小鼠的活动性、空间辨别、空间学习记忆和非空间学习记忆能力。结果表明：65高斯／50Hz磁场显著增高小鼠的活动性,并损伤小鼠Y-迷宫的空间辨别能力,但对Morris水迷宫的空间、非空间学习记忆无明显影响。35高斯／25Hz磁场处理动物行为在三个指标上均接近对照组。提示：长期的磁场照射可能会给动物,甚至人类造成一些影响。     

ω-3 多不饱和脂肪酸对PTSD-SPS 大鼠空间学习记忆和海马神经元 溶酶体损伤的防护作用研究

目的:观察饲料中添加ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸对PTSD-SPS大鼠空间学习记忆能力及海马神经元溶酶体损伤的保护作用。方法:将48只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、PTSD-SPS模型组、30%ω-3PUFAs+PTSD-SPS模型组、60%ω-3PU-FAs+PTSD-SPS模型组。采用Morris水迷宫测试方法,观察大鼠定位航行实验中逃避潜伏期及空间探索实验中靶象限活动时间的百分比及穿台次数。电子显微镜观察大鼠海马神经元超微结构变化。结果:与对照组相比,SPS模型组大鼠逃避潜伏期延长,第5天达到(39.12±7.34)s(P<0.05);第6天大鼠靶象限内活动时间百分比明显缩短及穿台次数减少,分别是10.01%±3.03%及(1.05±0.13)次;与SPS模型组对比,喂饲60%ω-3PUFAs的SPS组大鼠逃避潜伏期为(19.13±4.26)s(P<0.05),靶象限内活动时间百分比及穿台次数为25.56%±2.13%、(2.36±0.34)次(P<0.05)。电镜结果显示,喂饲ω-3PUFAs的SPS模型组大鼠海马神经元中溶酶体数量比SPS组明显减少,与对照组没有显著差异。结论:ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸可能通过减少海马神经元溶酶体的数量对PTSD-SPS大鼠学习记忆损伤起到一定的防护作用。     

TRP 对KA 诱导的AD 模型大鼠学习记忆的影响及其作用机制

目的:观察雷公藤甲素(Triptolide,TRP)对海人藻酸(Kainic acid,KA)海马内注射后大鼠学习记忆的影响及其作用机制。方法:采用Morris水迷宫筛选空间学习记忆能力正常的SD雄性大鼠90只(200～220g)。将实验动物分成3组:右侧海马注射生理盐水后生理盐水灌胃对照组(NS+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后生理盐水灌胃干预组(KA+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后雷公藤甲素灌胃干预组(KA+TRP)。动物存活1天,3天,5天,7天,14天,每个时间点6只,处死前分别于各相应时间点用Morris水迷宫检测各组动物空间位置记忆能力;免疫组织化学方法结合图像分析技术检测海马CA1区神经元COX-2的表达。结果:与NS组(NS+NS)比较,KA组(KA+NS)大鼠逃避潜伏期延长(P<0.05),跨越原平台次数减少(P<0.05);海马CA1区的神经元COX-2表达升高(P<0.05);TRP组(TRP+KA)与KA组比较,大鼠的平均逃避潜伏期从第5天起缩短(P<0.05),跨越原平台次数增多(P<0.05),海马CA1区神经元COX-2表达在5天,7天时下调(P<0.05)。结论:KA海马内注射,可以导致大鼠学习记忆功能障碍及上调海马CA1区神经元COX-2表达;雷公藤甲素干预治疗,能够改善动物的学习和记忆能力,能抑制KA诱导的海马CAl区神经元COX-2的表达。     

丙二醛对大鼠空间学习、记忆能力及海马CA1区超微结构的影响

研究了氧化应激毒性中间产物丙二醛(MDA)对SD大鼠空间学习、记忆的影响。用Morris水迷宫方法研究发现,经侧脑室注射丙二醛的大鼠在定位航行试验中寻找水下平台的逃避潜伏期极显著地延长,同时在空间探索试验中120s内穿台次数减少,说明较高浓度的丙二醛能导致大鼠的空间学习、记忆能力降低。电镜观察研究发现,处理组大鼠海马CA1区神经元细胞内线粒体变形、嵴消失,说明不同浓度的丙二醛在非氧自由基条件下也能直接对大鼠海马CA1区神经元造成一定程度的损伤。     

Morris water maze: a versatile and pertinent tool for assessing spatial learning and memory

Since its development about 40 years ago (1981–2021), Morris water maze has turned into a very popular tool for assessing spatial learning and memory. Its many advantages have ensured its pertinence to date. These include its effectiveness in evaluating hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, exemption from motivational differences across diverse experimental manipulations, reliability in various cross-species studies, and adaptability to many experimental conditions with various test protocols. Nonetheless, throughout its establishment, several experimental and analysis loopholes have galvanized researchers to assess ways in which it could be improved and adapted to fill this gap. Therefore, in this review, we briefly summarize these developments since the early years of its establishment through to the most recent advancements in computerized analysis, offering more comprehensive analysis paradigms. In addition, we discuss the adaptability of the Morris water maze across different test versions and analysis paradigms, providing suggestions with regard to the best paradigms for particular experimental conditions. Hence, the proper selection of the experimental protocols, analysis paradigms, and consideration of the assay’s limitations should be carefully considered. Given that appropriate measures are taken, with various adaptations made, the Morris water maze will likely remain a relevant tool to assess the mechanisms of spatial learning and memory.     

慢性束缚应激对SD和Wistar大鼠学习记忆能力的影响

目的探讨慢性束缚应激对Wistar、SD两种品系大鼠学习记忆能力的影响,为应激模型中实验动物的选择提供依据。方法对两种品系大鼠(Wistar、SD)采用每天束缚10 h,束缚28 d建立慢性应激模型。采用物体认知新物体识别实验和Morris水迷宫空间学习、工作记忆行为学检测方法,观察束缚应激对两种品系实验动物学习记忆能力的影响。结果束缚28 d后,物体识别实验中,Wistar、SD模型组的辨别指数(discrimination index,DI)均低于对照组,但只有SD两组间差异存在显著性(P0.05);水迷宫空间学习阶段,SD模型组潜伏期高于对照组,第5天差异有显著性(P0.05),而Wistar模型组与对照组间的潜伏期没有差异;水迷宫工作记忆阶段,SD大鼠模型组与正常组比较,潜伏期显著增加(P0.05),Wistar模型大鼠的潜伏期与对照组比较没有显著差异。结论新物体识别实验和水迷宫实验,这两种反应动物不同学习记忆能力的行为学实验结果都表明,慢性束缚应激(10 h,28 d)对SD大鼠学习记忆能力的损伤较Wistar大鼠明显。SD大鼠可能更适合作为慢性应激所致学习记忆损伤动物模型。     

慢性复合应激对大鼠学习记忆功能及脑ERK表达活化的影响

目的：研究慢性复合应激对大鼠学习记忆的影响,以及大脑细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）表达活化的变化,探讨慢性应激致学习记忆损害的分子机制。方法：采用低温暴露、足电击、白噪声、束缚、尾部悬吊、睡眠剥夺、水平震荡等刺激方式,建立慢性复合应激大鼠模型。Morris水迷宫实验观察应激对学习记忆的影响;放射免疫法检测血清皮质酮（CORT）含量;Western blot检测ERK的表达。结果：应激组大鼠水迷宫训练潜伏期较对照组延长,应激3周时有所恢复,但4周时大鼠的训练潜伏期再次显著延长（P〈0.05）。同时应激组大鼠血清CORT水平增高,海马、前额皮质P-ERK水平降低（P〈0.05）,两者在应激3周时均出现短时恢复,但4周时再次下调。结论：海马、前额皮质ERK蛋白磷酸化水平的改变可能参与了慢性复合应激损害学习记忆的分子机制。     

Roles of oxytocin in spatial learning and memory in the nucleus basalis of Meynert in rats

The present study was performed to explore the role of oxytocin (OT) in spatial learning and memory in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) of rats. The latency, distance and swimming path to find the platform were tested by Morris water maze and recorded by a video camera connected to a computer. Intra-NBM injections of 2 or 10 nmol of OT, but not 0.2 nmol of OT, induced significant increase on the latency of spatial learning. Rats receiving intra-NBM administrations of 2 or 10 nmol of OT showed a more random search pattern. There were no significant changes in the swimming speed in Morris water maze test after the injection of OT. Furthermore, the impaired effect of OT on the latency of spatial learning was blocked by intra-NBM injection of the selective OT antagonist Atosiban, indicating that the effect of OT was mediated by OT receptor in the NBM of rats. Moreover, there were no influences of OT or Atosiban on the retention performance in rats. The results suggest that OT plays an inhibitory role in spatial learning in the NBM; the effect is mediated by OT receptor.     

Postnatal dexamethasone and long term learning and memory functions in developing rats: Effect of postnatal age and gender

In this study, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on the long-term learning and memory functions in developing rats. In Sprague-Dawley rat pups, we administered a daily dose of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day) for three consecutive days in three groups of animals: the "ultra-early" group received steroids on postnatal days (PND) 1-3; the "early" group received the drug on PNDs 8-10, and the "late" group received the drug on PNDs 28-30. The control group was not given any medication. All animals underwent structured CNS examinations beginning on PND 15, and continued through PND 20. The pups were tested for spatial learning and memory functions using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) on PNDs 31 through 35, 45 through 49, and 59 through 63. They were also tested for reward-based learning and memory functions using Radial Arm Maze (RAM) on PNDs 70 through 72. We analyzed the effect of dexamethasone, postnatal age, and sex on neurological milestones, and learning and memory functions. We found that neurological examination findings were similar in all groups, as were the results of the reward-based learning using RAM. However, in the MWM, the total distance of swimming and the total time to find the hidden platform showed considerable difference among the groups. Although these functions improved with postnatal age, the female pups in all three steroid groups, and the male pups in the late-steroid group lagged significantly in learning and memory functions compared to the controls, and such lags were transient. However, the interaction terms between dexamethasone, age, and sex were also significant in MWM test results. Steroids administered postnatally may have transient, retarding effect on learning and memory functions, and that animal age and sex may modify such effects. Such lags are not global, but specific to the types of memory tests used, implicating different neural circuitries in the pathogenesis of such abnormalities. Although transient, if such adverse effects occur at critical phases during brain maturation, the implications for poor, long-term outcomes may be more significant. The mechanisms underlying such changes need to be explored.     

Metformin protects against seizures,learning and memory impairments and oxidative damage induced by pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling in mice

Cognitive impairment, the most common and severe comorbidity of epilepsy, greatly diminishes the quality of life. However, current therapeutic interventions for epilepsy can also cause untoward cognitive effects. Thus, there is an urgent need for new kinds of agents targeting both seizures and cognition deficits. Oxidative stress is considered to play an important role in epileptogenesis and cognitive deficits, and antioxidants have a putative antiepileptic potential. Metformin, the most commonly prescribed antidiabetic oral drug, has antioxidant properties. This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of metformin on seizures, cognitive impairment and brain oxidative stress markers observed in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling animals. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered with subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (37 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day for 14 injections. Metformin was injected intraperitoneally in dose of 200 mg/kg along with alternate-day PTZ. We found that metformin suppressed the progression of kindling, ameliorated the cognitive impairment and decreased brain oxidative stress. Thus the present study concluded that metformin may be a potential agent for the treatment of epilepsy as well as a protective medicine against cognitive impairment induced by seizures.     

水迷宫实验中不同性别树鼩学习记忆能力的比较

目的研究雌雄树鼩空间学习和记忆能力的差异。方法随机选择自繁F1代树鼩20只（雄11只,雌9只）,在相同条件下进行8 d的水迷宫实验,包括前7 d的定位航行实验和第8天的空间探索实验。结果定位航行实验中雌雄逃避潜伏期、游泳总路程差异无显著性（P〉0.05）,但不同时间水平差异有显著性（P〈0.05）;平均游泳速度雌雄差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。空间探索实验中目标象限游泳时间和总时间之比、目标象限游泳路程和总路程之比雌雄差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;穿越目标象限次数和搜索策略雌雄差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论水迷宫实验中树鼩在空间学习能力上雌雄无差异,但在空间探索实验中雄性的表现优于雌性。     

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on learning and memory abilities of STZ-induced dementia rats

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that pulsed electromagnetic field (EMF) has therapeutic potential for dementia, but the associated neurobiological effects are unclear. This study aimed to determine the effects of pulsed EMF on Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced dementia rats.Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of the four groups: (i) control, (ii) normal saline injection (sham group), (iii) STZ injection (STZ group) and (iv) STZ injection with pulsed EMF exposure (PEMF, 10 mT at 20 Hz) (STZ + MF group). Morris water maze was used to assess the learning and memory abilities. Insulin growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2) gene expression were determined by quantitative PCR. Results: The results showed that the mean escape latency in STZ-induced dementia rats was reduced by 66% under the exposure of pulsed EMF. Compared with the STZ group, the swimming distance and the time for first crossing the platform decreased by 55 and 41.6% in STZ + MF group, respectively. Furthermore, the IGF-2 gene expression significantly increased compared to that of the STZ group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the pulsed EMF exposure can improve the ability of learning and memory in STZ-induced dementia rats and this effect may be related to the process of IGF signal transduction, suggesting a potential role for the pulsed EMF for the amelioration of cognition impairment.     

Nodakenin, a coumarin compound, ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory disruption in mice

Nodakenin is a coumarin compound initially isolated from the roots of Angelica gigas. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nodakenin on learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) using the passive avoidance test, the Y-maze test, and the Morris water maze test in mice. Nodakenin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) administration significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test and the Y-maze test (P<0.05), and also reduced escape latency during training in the Morris water maze test (P<0.05). Moreover, swimming times and distances within the target zone of the Morris water maze were greater in the nodakenin-treated group than in the scopolamine-treated group (P<0.05). In an in vitro study, nodakenin was found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50)=84.7 microM). In addition, nodakenin was also found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity for 6 h in an ex-vivo study. These results suggest that nodakenin may be a useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, and that its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, via the enhancement of cholinergic signaling.     

Post-training intrahippocampal infusion of nicotine prevents spatial memory retention deficits induced by the cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific inhibitor celecoxib in rats

Recently, we demonstrated that intrahippocampal infusion of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitor celecoxib impaired spatial memory retention in the Morris water maze. In the present work, we investigated the effects of nicotine, infused in the rat dorsal hippocampus several minutes after infusion of celecoxib, on memory retention in the Morris water maze. Rats were trained for 3 days; each day included two blocks, and each block contained four trials. Test trials were conducted 48 h after surgery. As expected, bilateral intrahippocampal infusion of celecoxib (19 microg/side; 0.1 m) increased escape latency and travel distance in rats, indicating significant impairment of spatial memory retention. We also examined the effects of bilateral infusion of nicotine (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 microg/side) on memory retention. Infusion of 1 microg nicotine significantly decreased escape latency and travel distance but not swimming speed, compared with controls, suggesting memory retention enhancement by nicotine at this concentration. In separate experiments, bilateral infusion of nicotine, infused 5 min after 0.1 m (19 microg/side) celecoxib infusion, was associated with escape latency, travel distance and swimming speed profiles very similar to those in control animals. Brain tissue sections from several of these animals were subjected to immunohistochemical staining analysis with anti-COX-2 antibodies. Quantification analysis by optical density measurements showed that the celecoxib infusion reduced the immunoreactivity of COX-2-containing neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus compared with controls, although this reduction was not significant. However, infusion of a combination of celecoxib and nicotine significantly increased this immunoreactivity compared with levels in control and celecoxib-infused groups. These results suggest that nicotine prevented or reversed the adverse effects of celecoxib on spatial memory retention and protected or restored the immunostaining pattern of COX-2 neurons in the rat dorsal hippocampus.