Histamine Intra-amygdala Modulation on Aversive Memory for Mice-subjected Inhibitory Avoidance Task while not in the Elevated Plus-maze.

Author(s)

Fernanda Daher Pitta

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-08-22

Examining board members

Rosana Mattioli; Claudia Maria Padovan; Ricardo Luiz Nunes de Souza

• Advisor: Rosana Mattioli

Abstract

There is evidence that histamine (HA) modulates learning and memory in different types of behavioral tasks, but the exact course of modulation and its mechanisms are controversial. Well known that the amygdala plays an importante role in modulation of emotions. That is able to influence mnemonic processes. The goal of this research was to compare HA microinjected into the amygdala of mice subjected to elevated plus-maze (EPM) or inhibitory avoidance task (IAT) in effects on anxiety-related behavior and emotional memory. For this purpose, male Swiss mice, weighing from 25 and 35g, were bilaterally implanted with guide cannulas. The recovery took from three to five days after surgery, then behavioral tests in the EPM or IAT were performed on two consecutive days. In the first experiment, the animals received microinjections before Trial 1 of salina (SAL) or HA in the amygdala (0.1; 0.5 and 1.0 g by 0.1 l/side volume) and were exposed to EPM for 5 min. 24h later the same protocol was repeated (Trial 2). The second experiment consisted of four sessions in the IAT: Habituation, Training 1 and 2 (interval of 2min between the two; footshock; 0.5mA/3sec) and Test (24h later; without footshock). Mice were microinjected before Training 1 and Test with SAL or HA at the same dose mentioned. The animals were assigned into four groups for each experiment: SAL-SAL, SAL-HA, HA-SAL and HA-HA. The data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Duncans tests to the homogeneous data, and Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon to the inhomogeneous distributions. For the tests in the EPM, the percentage of open arm entries (%OAE) were reduced in Trial 2 relative to Trial 1 for SAL-HA and HA-SAL and the percentage of time spent in the open arms (%OAT) also decreased in all groups at the doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g. No significant changes were observed in that measures in Trial 1 compared all groups, an EPM index of anxiety. For the sessions in the IAT, the step-through latency increased in SAL-SAL, HA-SAL and HA-HA on the test day relative to training day, and no statistical differences were observed to SAL-HA group. The latency were increased whith HA infusions pre-trial and pré-test as a condition. Based on our results, the HA intra-amygdala of mice at the doses studied is not involved on the anxiety-like behaviors and mnemonic process in the EPM, but impairs the emotional memory retrieval in the IAT at the doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g. HA intra-amygdala also induces state-dependent emotional memory in those doses for HA-HA group. We suggest that HA is distinctly involved at pathways that mediates anxiety and fear. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/13362-0 - Influence of intra-amygdale histamine in the acquisition of learning and emotional-like behaviors
• Grantee: Fernanda Daher Pitta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master