title: The intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom enhances memory persistence in rats.
abstract: Previous research has shown that crotamine, a toxin isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus, induces the release of acetylcholine and dopamine in the central nervous system of rats. Particularly, these neurotransmitters are important modulators of memory processes. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of crotamine infusion on persistence of memory in rats. We verified that the intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine (1 μg/μl; 1 μl/side) improved the persistence of object recognition and aversive memory. By other side, the intrahippocampal infusion of the toxin did not alter locomotor and exploratory activities, anxiety or pain threshold. These results demonstrate a future prospect of using crotamine as potential pharmacological tool to treat diseases involving memory impairment, although it is still necessary more researches to better elucidate the crotamine effects on hippocampus and memory.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, P.O. Box 118, 97500-970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liane S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, P.O. Box 118, 97500-970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcus V S
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, P.O. Box 118, 97500-970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rithiele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, P.O. Box 118, 97500-970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanusa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mandredini
authors.affiliation: LAQUIP, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), P.O. Box 6109, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ponce-Soto
authors.affiliation: LAQUIP, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), P.O. Box 6109, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marangoni
authors.affiliation: CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus São Gabriel, 97300-000 São Gabriel, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cháriston A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dal Belo
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, P.O. Box 118, 97500-970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: pamelacarpes@unipampa.edu.br.
authors.forename: Pâmela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Mello-Carpes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017839:Crotalus; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects*; D057967:Infusions, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D009498:Neurotoxins; D018697:Nootropic Agents; C010563:crotamine
keywords: Inhibitory avoidance memory; Object recognition memory; Snake venom; Toxin