Spatial learning and memory induce up-regulation of nitric oxide-producing neurons in rat brain.
Changes of nitric oxide (NO)-producing neurons in the brain following learning is not yet clear. In present study, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) immunohistochemistry were used to detect NOS neurons in rat brain. Results demonstrated that expression of NOS neurons in dentate gyrus and frontal cortex was significantly increased after a water-rewarded spatial alternation task when compared with that after sham training. The elevated expression of NOS neurons occurred not only in the earlier memory stage, but also in the later memory stage. In addition, the expression location and cell counts of NOS neurons in dentate gyrus and frontal cortex with NADPH-d staining or nNOS immunoreactivity resembled each other, but the cell counts of NADPH-d positive neurons were a little more than those of nNOS immunoreactive neurons. The involvement of NO in the processes of spatial learning and memory is further suggested.
Zhang
S
S
Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China.
Chen
J
J
Wang
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase