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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment
Published on: June 22, 2015
Antisense oligonucleotide sequences targeting the muscarinic type 2 acetylcholine receptor enhance performance in the
R L Galli1, R E Fine, B C Thorpe
1U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA. galli@simmons.edu
Abstract:
Blocking autoinhibitory muscarinic type 2 (m2) acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system may increase the release of acetylcholine and improve learning and memory. Antisense oligonucleotides (OGNs) complementary to m2 receptor mRNA were synthesized and evaluated for their efficacy at decreasing receptor number and reversing deficits in a cognitive task. Three antisense OGNs, which decreased m2 receptor binding in NG108-15 cells, were continuously infused into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats for 6 days at a rate of 0.5 micro1/h and a daily dose of 72 microg. Performance in the Morris water maze was compared to groups receiving control OGNs or vehicle alone. Decrements induced by 0.2 mg/kg of scopolamine i.p. were significantly reversed by 2 of the 3 antisense OGNs. Use of antisense OGNs targeting the m2 receptor may be a new strategy to increase cholinergic neurotransmission and improve learning and memory.
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