A nitric oxide synthase inhibitor delays the formation of learning-related neural activity in the cerebellar interpositus nucleus during rabbit eyelid conditioning.
Inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis with L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) has been found to retard the acquisition of the classically conditioned rabbit eyelid response. In the present study, rabbits received an SC injection of either L-NAME (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) or its inactive stereoisomer, D-NAME, an hour before each daily training session. L-NAME retarded both the acquisition of conditioned responses and associated learning-related neural activity in the interpositus nucleus. There was no effect of L-NAME on spontaneous interpositus activity recorded during a period of time before trial onset. These findings indicate that nitric oxide may play a role in neuronal processes associated with the acquisition of the classically conditioned rabbit eyelid responses.
Allen
M T
MT
Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA.
Steinmetz
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011817:Rabbits
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester