Spider toxin (JSTX-3) inhibits the memory retrieval of passive avoidance tests

The effect of a spider toxin (JSTX-3)--a specific blocker of quisqualate sensitive type of glutamate receptors--on learning and memory was studied in mice using passive avoidance tests (step-through and step-down tests) and the water maze test. JSTX-3 was injected into lateral ventricles of chronically cannulated mice at a dose of 22.2 pmol/brain, which did not produce any apparent behavioral changes. This chemical significantly impaired the retrieval of memory in the step-through test and showed a similar (though not statistically significant) tendency in the step-down test, but it had no effect on acquisition or consolidation of memory in both tests. In the water maze test, this chemical had no effect on escape latencies.