Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Nerve growth factor facilitates conditioned taste aversion learning in normal rats

W J Lipinski1, K W Rusiniak, M Hilliard

  • 1Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti 48197, USA.

Brain Research
|September 18, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Nerve growth factor (NGF) administration in rats enhanced memory and learning by increasing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. This neurotrophic support improved conditioned taste aversion tasks without altering sensory perception.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mars sample return campaign: biological risk and a proposed sample safety assessment protocol.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2026
Same author

Lumateperone-mediated effects on prefrontal glutamatergic receptor-mediated neurotransmission: A dopamine D<sub>1</sub> receptor dependent mechanism.

European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2022
Same author

Molecular Evidence for the Presence of Maize Bushy Stunt Phytoplasma in Corn in Brazil.

Plant disease·2019
Same author

First Report of Clover Proliferation Phytoplasma in Strawberry.

Plant disease·2019
Same author

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of a New Phytoplasma from Diseased Chayote in Brazil.

Plant disease·2019
Same author

First Report of Clover Yellow Edge Phytoplasma in Corylus (Hazelnut).

Plant disease·2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurobiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays a crucial role in neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation.
  • Cholinergic systems, particularly choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, are vital for learning and memory processes.
  • Understanding the impact of neurotrophic factors on cognitive functions like conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is essential for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of NGF on ChAT activity and cognitive performance in normal adult rats.
  • To determine if NGF treatment influences the acquisition and extinction of conditioned taste aversion (CTA).
  • To assess whether NGF affects sensory perception or illness reactivity.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Rats received chronic i.c.v. infusion of NGF (3.2 micrograms/day) or control substances (BSA or Cytochrome C).
  • Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was measured in specific brain regions (striatum, medial septum, basal forebrain).
  • Performance on a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) task, including acquisition and extinction phases, was evaluated at various time intervals after LiCl administration.

Main Results:

  • NGF infusion significantly elevated ChAT activity in the striatum, medial septum, and basal forebrain.
  • NGF treatment facilitated the acquisition and prolonged the extinction of LiCl-induced saccharin aversion.
  • These effects were observed even with saccharin/LiCl intervals up to 1 hour, and NGF did not alter sensory detection thresholds or illness reactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic NGF administration enhances cholinergic function, specifically ChAT activity, in key brain areas associated with learning and memory.
  • NGF administration improves memory consolidation and recall in the context of conditioned taste aversion tasks in adult rats.
  • The observed cognitive enhancements are not attributable to changes in sensory processing or general illness responses, suggesting a direct impact on memory mechanisms.