Training Dependent Changes in Spatial Memory and Zif268 Expression in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex
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1
Maynooth University, Psychology, Ireland
Immediate early genes (IEGs) are strongly implicated in learning‐related plasticity and memory formation (Tischmeyer & Grimm, 1999). Research has demonstrated that activation of IEGs in the hippocampus correlates highly with spatial memory performance (Guzowski et al., 2001). Our aim was to illustrate training dependent changes in spatial memory retention and IEG expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Rats were trained to locate a hidden platform in the Morris water maze for five or ten days using two visual, distal cues. Twenty-four hours post-acquisition animals were divided into 4 groups and retested (n = 8/group). Two groups that had been trained for five and ten days, respectively, were tested in the presence of both cues (as per acquisition). The two remaining groups, also having been trained for five and ten days, respectively, were tested with only one cue present. Ninety minutes post‐retention, brains were removed and processed for expression of the well-known IEG Zif268. Behavioural results demonstrated that all animals acquired the task. Further, groups retested in the presence of two cues showed strong retention irrespective of training length. Of the groups tested with one cue, only the group trained for ten days showed good retention. Interestingly, significantly higher Zif268 expression was found in all brain regions for the one cue group compared to the control group after five days. This group difference disappeared after 10 days of training. Findings indicate training‐related behavioural changes which may correspond to a shift in regional IEG expression over time.
Acknowledgements
This research is funded by the Maynooth University Doctoral Teaching Scholarship.
References
Guzowski et al. (2001). Experience-Dependent Gene Expression in the Rat Hippocampus after Spatial Learning: A Comparison of the Immediate-Early Genes Arc, c-fos, and zif268. The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(14), 5089–5098.
Tischmeyer, W. & Grimm, R. (1999). Activation of immediate early genes and memory formation. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 55, 564–574.
Keywords:
Hippocampus,
prefrontal cortex (PFC),
Zif268 expression,
spatial memory,
water maze
Conference:
Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 , Dublin, Ireland, 20 Sep - 20 Sep, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Early Career Neuroscience
Citation:
Farina
FR and
Commins
S
(2014). Training Dependent Changes in Spatial Memory and Zif268 Expression in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex.
Front. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 .
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2014.87.00033
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Received:
16 Sep 2014;
Published Online:
16 Sep 2014.
*
Correspondence:
Ms. Francesca R Farina, Maynooth University, Psychology, Maynooth, Ireland, francesca.farina@gbhi.org