title: Post-learning REM sleep deprivation impairs long-term memory: reversal by acute nicotine treatment.
abstract: Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REM-SD) is associated with spatial learning and memory impairment. During REM-SD, an increase in nicotine consumption among habitual smokers and initiation of tobacco use by non-smokers have been reported. We have shown recently that nicotine treatment prevented learning and memory impairments associated with REM-SD. We now report the interactive effects of post-learning REM-SD and/or nicotine. The animals were first trained on the radial arm water maze (RAWM) task, then they were REM-sleep deprived using the modified multiple platform paradigm for 24h. During REM-SD period, the rats were injected with saline or nicotine (1mg/kg s.c. every 12h: a total of 3 injections). The animals were tested for long-term memory in the RAWM at the end of the REM-SD period. The 24h post-learning REM-SD significantly impaired long-term memory. However, nicotine treatment reversed the post-learning REM-SD-induced impairment of long-term memory. On the other hand, post-learning treatment of normal rats with nicotine for 24h enhanced long-term memory. These results indicate that post-learning acute nicotine treatment prevented the deleterious effect of REM-SD on cognitive abilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Aleisa
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Alzoubi
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Alkadhi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine