Subtypes of central nicotinic receptors involved in learning and memory.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of different subtypes of central nicotinic receptor on learning and memory.


METHODS
Passive avoidance response, including step-down avoidance and step-through avoidance in mice and long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices.


RESULTS
Hexamethonium (C6) 7 micrograms/mouse and kappa-bungarotoxin (kappa-BTX) 0.6 microgram/mouse inhibited the acquisition of avoidance conditioning in mice, and kappa-BTX yielded this effect with a dose-response relationship. kappa-BTX 1 mumol.L-1 suppressed the induction of LTP (P < 0.05), but not normal synaptic transmission and maintenance of LTP in rat hippocampal slices.


CONCLUSIONS
The subtypes of central nicotinic receptor sensitive to kappa-BTX play an important role in learning and memory.
Chen
L J
LJ
Department of Pharmacology, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Chen
R Z
RZ
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018738:Hexamethonium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D018738:Hexamethonium