Strains of rodents and the pharmacology of learning and memory.
Mendelian genetic tools have extensively been used to improve the description of the pharmacological mechanisms involved in learning and memory. The first part of this short review describes experiments involving the bidirectional selection of rats or mice for extreme behavioral characteristics or for sensitivity to pharmacological treatments. The second part focuses specifically on in-breeding. In conclusion, the advantages and the limits of a Mendelian pharmacogenetic approach of learning and memory are discussed.
Ammassari-Teule
Martine
M
CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology, IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy. l.restivo@hsantalucia.it
Castellano
Claudio
C
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D023421:Models, Animal; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013045:Species Specificity
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs