Noradrenergic and cholinergic interactions in the amygdala and the modulation of memory storage.
Numerous studies have reported that, in rats, memory can be affected by manipulations of the amygdala noradrenergic system. Typically, low doses of norepinephrine facilitate while higher doses impair memory storage. Muscarinic cholinergic agonists facilitate, while antagonists impair memory storage. Recent evidence from studies using systemic injection of drugs, indicates that these two systems interact in modulating memory storage. The experiments reported here examined interactions between the amygdala noradrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic systems. The results indicate that activation of muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms in the amygdala enhances retention, and that such activation mediates the facilitatory effects of systemically administered oxotremorine. beta-Noradrenergic agonists appear to exert their effects in the amygdala by activating the release of acetylcholine.
Dalmaz
C
C
Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine 92717.
Introini-Collison
I B
IB
McGaugh
J L
JL
D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology
D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D009638:Norepinephrine