[ role of glucocorticoids receptor in medial septal area on spatial memory in rats]

ABSTRACT

Previous studies indicated that Medical Septal Area [MSA] plays an important role in spatial memory and glucocorticoid receptors have probably effects on emotional learning and memory storage in this area. The aim of this study was determination of the role of glucocorticoid receptors in MSA on spatial memory in rats. In this experimental study 50 albino rats [250-300 g] were used. Animals that carrying cannula aimed at theire MSA were trained in a water maze task in a session consisting of 8 trials per day. Immediately after last training session different doses of corticosterone [10, 50, 100 or 200 mg in 0.5 micro l] or vehicle were injected into MSA. Performance of each rat was tested 24 hours after the final training day in 60 second probe trial. The parameters measured in probe test were percent time spent and swim distance in the target and opposite quadrants. Statistical analysis of data indicated that injection of different doses of corticosterone immediately after training into MSA did not cause significant differences between control and treated animals on probe test performance and consolidation process. Findings of this study showed that activation of glucocorticoid receptors in MSA did not play a role in spatial memory consolidation in rats