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Cognitive performance in neurokinin 3 receptor knockout mice.
R E Nordquist1, M Delenclos, T M Ballard
1Psychiatry Disease Area, PRBD-N, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Building 72-148, 4070 Basel, Switzerland. r.e.nordquist@uu.nl
Psychopharmacology
|March 21, 2008
Summary
Neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor knockout mice demonstrated enhanced performance in operant tasks and spatial learning, but not in working memory, suggesting NK3 receptor
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- The neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor is a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia, modulating dopaminergic signaling.
- Species differences in NK3 receptors between humans, rats, and mice have limited preclinical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the NK3 receptor in cognitive functions, including working memory and spatial memory.
- To assess the impact of NK3 receptor knockout on operant responding.
Main Methods:
- Generation of NK3 receptor knockout mice on a C57Bl/6 background.
- Behavioral testing using tasks such as delayed matching to position (DMTP), spontaneous alternation, Morris water maze, and active avoidance.
Main Results:
- NK3 knockout mice showed improved performance in the DMTP task, indicating an effect on operant performance.
- No significant differences in spontaneous alternation suggested that working memory was not affected by NK3 knockout.
- Knockout mice exhibited no impairment in Morris water maze training and faster response latency in active avoidance tasks.
Conclusions:
- The NK3 receptor plays a role in the performance of operant tasks and spatial learning.
- The NK3 receptor is not essential for working memory function.
