M1 muscarinic receptors are necessary for retrieval of remote context fear memory

Author(s)

Patricio, Rafael Rodisanski ; Kramer Soares, Juliana Carlota ; Menezes Oliveira, Maria Gabriela

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physiology & Behavior; v. 169, p. 202-207, FEB 1 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the transition of consolidation of recent memory to remote memory in aversively motivated tasks, such as contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and inhibitory avoidance (IA). However, the mechanisms that serve the retrieval of remote memories, has not yet been fully understood. Some evidences suggest that the central cholinergic system appears be involved in the modulation of these processes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a pre-test administration of dicyclomine, a high-affinity M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist, on the retrieval of remote memories in fear conditioning and IA tasks. Male Wistar rats were trained, and after 1 or 28 days, the rats received dicyclomine (16 or 32 mg/lcg, intraperitoneally, i.p.) and were tested in CFC, tone fear conditioning (TFC) and IA tasks. At both time intervals, 32 mg/kg dicydomine induced impairment of CFC. In TFC task only the performance of the rats 28 days after training was impaired. The IA task was not affected in any of the studied intervals. These findings suggest a differential contribution of muscarinic receptors on recent and remote memories retrieval revealing a more generalized role in remote memory. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/12871-0 - Relationship between the muscarinic cholinergic system and FOS expression on retrieval of recent and remote memory for fear conditioning
• Grantee: Rafael Rodisanski Patricio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master