Role of intraamygdaloid acylated-ghrelin in spatial learning

Brain Res Bull. 2010 Jan 15;81(1):33-7. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.10.003.

Abstract

According to recently published papers acylated-ghrelin (A-Ghr) modifies memory and learning. The basolateral nucleus of amygdala (ABL) participates in the regulation of memory and learning mechanisms. Previously we verified A-Ghr responsive neurons in the ABL by electrophysiological methods. In male Wistar rats effects of bilateral intraamygdaloid microinfusion of 50 ng, 100 ng A-Ghr, 15 ng Ghr receptor antagonist d-Lys3-GHRP-6 (ANT) or ANT+50 ng A-Ghr [dissolved in 0.15M sterile saline], or vehicle in 0.4 microl volume were investigated in Morris water maze paradigm. 50 ng A-Ghr significantly reduced latency to find the platform located in one of the quadrants of the maze. Effect of 50 ng A-Ghr was blocked by ANT pretreatment. ANT alone had no effect. Our results show that place learning linked memory processes are facilitated by A-Ghr in the rat ABL. It is a specific effect, because it could be eliminated by ANT pretreatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acylation
  • Amygdala / drug effects
  • Amygdala / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Ghrelin / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Maze Learning / physiology*
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Memory / physiology
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / metabolism*
  • Space Perception / drug effects
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • GHRP-6, Lys(3)-
  • Ghrelin
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, Ghrelin