Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Analysis of Learning and Memory Ability in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model using the Morris Water Maze
Published on: October 29, 2019
[Effects of ketamine and alcohol on learning and memory impairment in mice]
Mei-Yu Yang1, Fei Ding, Xiao-Gang Jiang
1Institute of Forensic Science of Soochow University, Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China. meiyu0307@163.com
Objective:
To study the effects of ketamine and alcohol on learning and memory in mice and its possible mechanism.
Methods:
Forty mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control group, ketamine group, alcohol group, and alcohol plus ketamine group. Ketamine and alcohol were given by intraperitoneal injection and intragastric administration, respectively, 1 time per day, for 14 days. The ability of learning and memory in mice was tested by the method of step-down and Morris water maze. Acetylcholine (ACh) and 5-hydroxy tryptamine(5-HT) in mice brain tissue were analyzed for the possible mechanism.
Results:
(1) Step-down: The treatment groups lessened the latency and added wrong times (P < 0.05). The number of errors in the combined treatment group significantly increased comparing with the single drug treatment group (P < 0.05). (2) Morris water-maze: The treatment groups prolonged the latency (P < 0.05), reduced the target quadrant activity time significantly (P < 0.05), and decreased the numbers of crossing the former platform significantly (P < 0.05). (3) Biochemical index determination: The concentrations of ACh and 5-HT in treatment groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), showed a more decreasement comparing with the single drug treatment group.
Conclusion:
Ketamine has a synergistic effect with alcohol on learning and memory impairment in mice, which may be related to the common inhibitive effect on the ACh and 5-HT.
