Buspirone blocks the enhancing effect of the anxiogenic drug RS 79948-197 on consolidation of habit memory.
Previous findings indicate that post-training administration of the anxiogenic α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist RS 79948-197 facilitates the consolidation of dorsal striatal-dependent habit memory. The present study examined the effect of concurrent administration of the anxiolytic serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor partial agonist buspirone on anxiety-induced facilitation of habit memory. Male Long-Evans rats were trained in a response learning version of a water plus-maze task that requires animals to learn to make the same body turn response on each trial in order to reach a hidden escape platform. Immediately following training on days 1-3, rats received peripheral injections of either saline, buspirone (1.5 mg/kg, 2.0 mg/kg, or 5.0 mg/kg), RS 79948-197 (0.1 mg/kg), or RS 79948-197 and buspirone together. Post-training injections of RS 79948-197 alone significantly enhanced memory consolidation. The highest dose of buspirone (5.0 mg/kg) also enhanced response learning. However, concurrent administration of a dose of buspirone (1.5 mg/kg) that itself had no effect on acquisition blocked the memory enhancing effects of RS 79948-197. These findings suggest that the facilitation of habit memory observed following drug-induced anxiety can be prevented by co-administration of an anxiolytic agent.
Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843, United States.
Kah-Chung
KC
Leong
Jarid
J
Goodman
Mark G
MG
Packard
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006184:Habits; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009287:Naphthyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013997:Time Factors
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D007546:Isoquinolines; D009287:Naphthyridines; C104875:RS 79948-197; D002065:Buspirone