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Stereotaxic Microinjection of Viral Vectors Expressing Cre Recombinase to Study the Role of Target Genes in Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference

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Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide increases spatial learning and memory in rats.

Manoj A Upadhya¹, Kartik T Nakhate, Dadasaheb M Kokare

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Campus, Nagpur-440 033, India.

|December 21, 2010

Summary

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) enhances spatial learning and memory in rats. Navigational training also boosts endogenous CART systems in key brain regions like the hypothalamus and dentate gyrus.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

Spatial learning and memory are crucial cognitive functions.
The role of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) in these processes is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the involvement of CART peptide in spatial learning and memory.
To examine the effects of CART administration and blockade on memory performance in rats.

Main Methods:

Rats received intracerebroventricular injections of CART or CART-antibody, with or without scopolamine.
Spatial learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) during acquisition and retrieval phases.
Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate endogenous CART system responses.

Main Results:

CART administration improved spatial learning and memory, reducing escape latency and increasing time spent in the platform quadrant.
CART-antibody and scopolamine impaired memory, with CART attenuating scopolamine's effects.
Training and retrieval in MWM upregulated CART immunoreactivity in brain regions including the arcuate nucleus, amygdala, dentate gyrus, and PVT, an effect blocked by scopolamine.

Conclusions:

CART peptide plays a role in promoting spatial learning and memory.
Navigational experiences in the MWM upregulate endogenous CART systems in specific brain areas, including the extended amygdala, hypothalamus, dentate gyrus, and PVT.