Enhancement of spatial navigation ability in older rats following chronic administration of the alpha(2) noradrenergic antagonist piperoxane

Author(s): Dietrich, K. L., Smith, J. S.

Journal/Book: Psychol Rec. 1997; 47: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022. Psychological Record. 321-334.

Abstract: The noradrenergic system of the locus coeruleus has been implicated in a variety of processes including reinforcement, attention, and acquisition and retention of learned behaviors. Its dense projections, some of which are shared by the cholinergic system, provide an ideal network within which to study the cognitive impairments related to aging. The current investigation explored the effects of piperoxane, an alpha(2) noradrenergic receptor antagonist, on the performance of 18- and 24-month-old rats in the Morris water maze and a step-down passive avoidance task. Piperoxane injections,(3 mg/kg, IP) facilitated the performance of the 18-month-old animals to levels comparable to those of the 8-month-old saline controls in constant-start, novel-start, and goal rotation testing variations of the Morris water maze. With the exception of the 24-month-old saline control group, all rats displayed retention on the step-down passive-avoidance task when tested 24 hours after training.

Note: Article Compton DM, Georgia Coll, Dept Psychol, Campus Box 90, Milledgeville,GA 31061 USA

Keyword(s): LOCUS COERULEUS; MEMORY; INVOLVEMENT; DEFICITS; NEURONS; BRAIN

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