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Protein kinase inhibitors disrupt memory formation in two chick brain regions
P A Serrano1, W A Rodriguez, E L Bennett
1University of California at Berkeley, Department of Psychology 94720, USA.
Abstract:
The amnesic effects of protein kinase inhibitors (H-7, HA-156, TFP, W-9, and W-13) on memory formation for a one trial peck-avoidance task in chicks were investigated with bilateral and unilateral injections into either the left or the right intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) or the left or right lobus parolfactorius (LPO). All five inhibitors injected bilaterally 5 min pretraining into either the IMHV or LPO or unilaterally into the left IMHV produced amnesia. Unilateral injections into the right IMHV did not produce amnesia. Unilateral injections of W-9 or W-13 into the left but not the right LPO produced amnesia, H-7, HA-156, or TFP did not produce amnesia when injected unilaterally into either the left or right LPO. The time of onset of amnesia produced by injecting TFP and W-13 into the LPO occurred 45 min after training, whereas H-7 produced amnesia significantly later (90 min after training). Amnesia induced by TFP, W-13, and H-7 injected into the LPO occurred significantly later than amnesia produced when these agents were injected into the IMHV. Together these data suggest that the IMHV and LPO process memory sequentially using various protein kinase activities.
Insights
Protein kinase inhibitors disrupt memory formation in chicks. These drugs, when administered to specific brain regions like the intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO), caused amnesia, suggesting sequential memory processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Memory formation is crucial for survival and involves complex neural processes.
- Protein kinases play a role in cellular signaling pathways, potentially influencing memory consolidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of protein kinase inhibitors in memory formation.
- To determine the specific brain regions involved in memory processing using these inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Administered five protein kinase inhibitors (H-7, HA-156, TFP, W-9, W-13) via bilateral and unilateral injections.
- Targeted injections into the intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO) in chicks.
- Assessed amnesic effects using a one-trial peck-avoidance task.
Main Results:
- Bilateral injections into IMHV or LPO, and unilateral left IMHV injections, induced amnesia.
- Unilateral injections into the right IMHV did not produce amnesia.
- Specific inhibitors (W-9, W-13) in the left LPO caused amnesia, with varying onset times compared to IMHV injections.
- Data suggest sequential memory processing in IMHV and LPO involving protein kinase activity.
Conclusions:
- The intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO) are critical for memory formation in chicks.
- These brain regions appear to process memory sequentially.
- Protein kinase activity is essential for these memory processes.