The effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy on the ability of spatial memory using radial arm maze in the rats

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stress, elevated sympathetic nervous system, glucocorticoid concentration affect learning and memory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy on the spatial memory using radial arm maze test. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Rats were divided into two groups a superior cervical ganglionectomy group and a control group. Each rat was put into the radial arm maze two times per day for 4 days. We checked the number of the total visit, the total error, the reference memory error, the working memory error. And then a superior cervical ganglionectomy group received bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy, and a control group received a sham operation. The radial arm maze test was then repeated and we evaluated the effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on spatial memory. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in ratio of total error, reference memory error, and working memory error. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy in rats does not effect the spatial memory. However, further studies are needed to determine the effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on spatial memory.