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Modulation of Carbonic Anhydrases Activity in the Hippocampus or Prefrontal Cortex Differentially Affects Social
Scheila Daiane Schmidt1, Eduarda Godfried Nachtigall1, Lucas Aschidamini Marcondes1
1Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Neuroscience
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Brain carbonic anhydrases (CAs) modulate social recognition memory (SRM). Inhibiting CAs impairs short-term SRM, while activating them enhances long-term SRM consolidation and persistence in specific brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brain carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are implicated in cognitive functions, including memory.
- Social recognition memory (SRM) is crucial for social interactions in gregarious species.
- The specific roles of CAs in SRM consolidation and persistence remain to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of brain carbonic anhydrases (CAs) in social recognition memory (SRM).
- To examine the effects of CA modulation on short-term and long-term SRM consolidation and persistence.
- To determine the differential involvement of CA enzymes in the hippocampus (CA1) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in SRM.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to a social discrimination task.
- Bilateral infusions of CA activator (D-phenylalanine) or inhibitor (acetazolamide) were administered into the CA1 or mPFC.
- Animals were tested for short-term (30 min) and long-term (24 h, 7 days) SRM.
Main Results:
- Acetazolamide (CA inhibitor) impaired short-term SRM in both CA1 and mPFC, an effect reversed by D-phenylalanine (CA activator).
- D-phenylalanine facilitated long-term SRM consolidation in the mPFC, but not in CA1.
- CA activation in both CA1 and mPFC enhanced SRM persistence for up to 7 days, an effect blocked by acetazolamide.
Conclusions:
- Carbonic anhydrases are critical modulators of social recognition memory.
- Differential roles of CAs in the CA1 and mPFC regions in memory consolidation and persistence were observed.
- Targeting CAs may offer potential therapeutic strategies for cognitive impairments related to memory.
