Posttraining Infusion of Norepinephrine and Corticotropin Releasing Factor into the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Enhanced Retention in an Inhibitory Avoidance Task

K. C. Liang ； Hsiu-Chen Chen ； Der-Yow Chen

《The Chinese Journal of Physiology》 44卷1期 (2001/03) Pp. 33-43

並列摘要

The present study investigated whether the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is involved in formation and retrieval of affective memory. Male Wistar rats with cannulae bilaterally implanted into the BNST were trained on a one-Trial step-through inhibitory avoidance task. Shortly after training they received bilateral intra-BNST infusion of lidocaine, various noradrenergic drugs, or corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Results showed that posttraining intra-BNST infusion of lidocaine impaired retention. Posttraining intra-BNST infusion of norepinephrine or the α1 antagonist prazosin induced a dose- and time-dependent retention enhancement or deficit, respectively. The enhancing effect of norepinephrine was mimicked by the cx1 agonist phenylephrine, and antagonized by prazosin at a non- impairing dose. Posttraining intra-BNST infusion of the α2 antagonist idazoxan or the β antagonist propranolol failed to affect retention. Posttraining intra-BNST infusion of CRF also enhanced retention in a dose-dependent manner. Various drugs infused shortly before testing did not significantly influence locomotor activity and retention. These findings, taken together, suggest that the BNST is involved in memory formation processes for affective experience and norepinephrine released in the BNST acting via a1 receptors plays a critical role in this function.

並列關鍵字

Memory ； fear conditioning ； BNST ； lidocaine ； prazosin ； phenylephrine ； rats