Differential modulation of lateral septal vasopressin receptor blockade in spatial learning, social recognition, and anxiety-related behaviors in rats.
The role of lateral septal vasopressin (VP) in the modulation of spatial memory, social memory, and anxiety-related behavior was studied in adult, male Wistar rats. Animals were equipped with osmotic minipumps delivering the VP-antagonist d(CH2)5-D-Tyr(Et)VAVP (1 ng/0.5 microl per h) bilaterally into the lateral septum (LS). Subsequently, all rats were subjected to four behavioral tests. First, animals were tested in a spatial learning paradigm (Morris water maze; 12 trials), followed by the social recognition test. A possible role for VP in anxiety-related behavior was then studied in the shock-probe burying test and the elevated plus-maze, respectively. The results showed that VP receptor antagonism impaired social recognition and reduced open-arm activity in the plus-maze, while it had no effect on spatial learning (Morris maze) and shock-probe burying behavior. The results indicate a strong task-dependent specificity of lateral septal VP functioning.
Everts
H G
HG
Graduate School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, Department of Animal Physiology, University of Groningen, Haren, Netherlands.
Koolhaas
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004597:Electroshock; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior
D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; C028884:1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)-2-(O-ethyl-Tyr)-4-Val-arginine vasopressin