Corticosterone impairs reconsolidation of novel object recognition memory in rats / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The formation of long-term memory includes acquisition, consolidation and reconsolidation. Reconsolidation is very important for the new memory transforming into stable memory. Stress is an important environmental factor in the process of learning and memory. Corticosterone is very important for stress response. At present, research about the impact of corticosterone on reconsolidation of novel object recognition memory is less. Thus, it is very important to test the impact of corticosterone on reconsolidation of novel object recognition memory in rats. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of corticosterone on the reconsolidation of novel object recognition memory in rats. METHODS: (1) The rats were intraperitoneal y injected with corticosterone (0.1, 1 and 3 mg/kg) immediately after reactivation. The discrimination index was used to assess memory performance and calculated as the difference in time exploring the novel and familiar objects. (2) The rats were intraperitoneal y injected with corticosterone (3 mg/kg) 6 hours after reactivation. The discrimination index was used to assess memory performance and calculated as the difference in time exploring the novel and familiar objects. (3) The rats were intraperitoneal y injected with corticosterone 3 mg/kg without reactivation. The discrimination index was used to assess memory performance and calculated as the difference in time exploring the novel and familiar objects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Immediate injection of corticosterone 3 mg/kg after reactivation significantly decreased the discrimination index. At 6 hours after reactivation or without reactivation, corticosterone administration did not impact the discrimination index. These results confirmed that corticosterone administration immediately after reactivation impairs the reconsolidation of novel object recognition memory. The damage effect depends on the reactivation experience and the specific time window after reactivation.