Assessment of serotonergic system in formation of memory and learning

We evaluated the involvement of the serotonergic system on memory formation and learning processes in healthy adults Wistar rats. Fifty-seven rats of 5 groups had one serotonergic nuclei damaged by an electric current. Electrolytic lesion was carried out using a continuous current of 2mA during two seconds by stereotactic surgery. Animals were submitted to learning and memory tests. Rats presented different responses in the memory tests depending on the serotonergic nucleus involved. Both explicit and implicit memory may be affected after lesion although some groups showed significant difference and others did not. A damage in the serotonergic nucleus was able to cause impairment in the memory of Wistar. The formation of implicit and explicit memory is impaired after injury in some serotonergic nuclei.

Abstract 421: The Subfornical Organ (SFO) Mediates CSF Na+ -induced Pressor Response via Activation of AT1 Receptors

In salt-sensitive rats on high salt or rats with icv infusion of Na + , the increase in CSF [Na + ] leads to activation of the brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and thereby to sympatho-excitation and hypertension. We tested whether the SFO and AT 1 receptors in the SFO play a crucial role in mediating the Na + -induced responses. In conscious Wistar rats, intra-SFO infusion of Na + -rich aCSF increased BP in a dose-related manner, whereas mannitol with the same osmolarity had no effects. Intra-SFO infusion of the AT 1 receptor blocker candesartan (cand.,10 μg) abolished pressor responses to intra-SFO infusion of Ang II (80 ng) or Na + -rich aCSF (0.45-0.6 M NaCl), and prevented 50% of the BP increase induced by icv infusion of Na + -rich aCSF (0.3 M NaCl, 4 μl/min for 6 min). In another set of Wistar rats, electrolytic lesion of the SFO prevented 50-65% of BP increases induced by icv infusion of Na + -rich aCSF or Ang II (5 ng/min). These data suggest that the SFO neurons are Na + -sensitive and via AT 1 receptors mediate a major part of the pressor response to CSF Na + . Data=means±SE (n=5-7). *p<.05 vs vehicle or sham lesion.