عنوان

Normal Spatial Learning and Improved Spatial Working Memory in Mice (Mus musculus) Lacking Dopamine D4 Receptors

Number

LA4197x14n

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Normal Spatial Learning and Improved Spatial Working Memory in Mice (Mus musculus) Lacking Dopamine D4 Receptors

General Material Designation

[Article]

First Statement of Responsibility

Falzone, Tomás L.; Avale, Elena M.; Gelman, Diego M.; Rubinstein, Marcelo

Text of Note

Dopamine terminals in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex modulate cognitive processes such as spatial learning and working memory. Because dopamine D4 receptors are expressed in these brain areas we have analyzed mutant mice lacking this receptor subtype (Drd4-/-). Wild-type and Drd4-/- mice were challenged in two spatial learning paradigms: the Morris water maze and an alternation T-maze. Drd4-/- mice showed normal place learning ability to find a hidden platform based on spatial extra-maze cues. In addition, Drd4-/- mice were able to find a new platform location with the same learning plasticity as wild type-mice. Spatial working memory assessed on a T maze showed that Drd4-/- mice were more efficient than wild-type mice in acquiring the maximum plateau of correct alternation scores. These results provide further evidence that the functional consequence of lacking D4 receptors is more evident in behaviors dependent on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex.

Date of Publication

2001

Title

International Journal of Comparative Psychology

Volume Number

14/3

Entry Element

Falzone, Tomás L.; Avale, Elena M.; Gelman, Diego M.; Rubinstein, Marcelo

Electronic name

[Article]

275578

a

Y