Quinolinic acid lesion of the striatum induces impairment in spatial learning and motor performance in rats

Injection of quinolinic acid (QA) into the striatum of rats is known to produce neuropathological and neurochemical alterations similar to those observed in Huntington's disease (HD). One clinical feature of HD patients is cognitive impairment. Two weeks after stereotaxic injection of either QA (240 nmol) or solvent in rats spatial learning was tested in the Morris water maze. QA lesioned animals required more time to find the hidden platform. The swim speed was reduced in all trials compared to the controls. The swim distance itself was longer and the amount of swim distance along the side wall was significantly higher in QA lesioned rats. The present results suggest that QA lesion of the striatum leads to deficit in motor performance and in spatial learning.