Mouse lines selected for difference in sensitivity to beta-CCM also differ in memory processes.
Methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (or beta-CCM) is a benzodiazepine receptor ligand with inverse agonist properties. Two strains of mice were selected, one for sensitivity (BS) and one for resistance (BR) to a convulsive dose of beta-CCM. These two strains were then shown to differ in several biochemical, pharmacological and behavioral characteristics; specifically BS mice were less anxious than BR mice. The present work provides evidence of differences in the learning abilities of the two strains. Three different learning tasks were used: spatial delayed discrimination on the 4-hole board, a learned choice between a lit and a dark compartment in a T-maze, and place-learning in an 8-arm radial maze. In all three tasks, BS mice had consistently better performance levels than BR mice.
Venault
Patrice
P
CNRS UMR 7593 Vulnérabilité, Adaptation et Psychopathologie, CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, 91 Bd de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. venault@ext.jussieu.fr
Beracochea
Daniel
D
Valleau
Magalie
M
Joubert
Chantal
C
Chapouthier
Georges
G
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D002243:Carbolines; D003292:Convulsants; C036150:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester