Abstract
Objective: To explore the effects of forepaw sensorimotor deprivation in early life on hippocampus-dependent spatial reference learning and memory in rats. Methods: Newborn SD rats were randomly assigned to experiment group (deprivation of forepaw sensorimotor function, n = 53) and control group (π = 55). Rats of postnatal day 13 (PN13) in experiment group were selected, and models of forepaw sensorimotor deprivation were established by microsurgical technique. Open field tests and Morris water maze tests were performed during the time periods of PN25(PN21-31), PN35 (PN31-39), PN45(PN41-50) and PN60(PN56-64) to evaluate the locomotor activity and spatial reference learning and memory, respectively. Results: In open field tests, there was no significant difference in parameters of locomotor activity and exploratory behavior between the two groups (P > 0.05). In Morris water maze tests, control group performed significantly better than experiment group during training sessions and probe tests on PN25 and PN35 (P < 0.05). While on PN45, although there was no significant difference between the two groups during training sessions, control group performed significantly better than experiment group during probe tests (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The deprivation of forepaw sensorimotor in early life has no significant effect on the locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of rats, but can impair the spatial reference learning and memory.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 767-771 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Medical Science) |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| State | Published - Jul 2009 |
Keywords
- Hippocampus
- Learning and memory
- Morris water maze
- Sensorimotor deprivation