Behavior learning and memory

The protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway has been associated with modulation of A-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity, motor behavior, learning, and memory, all of which are severely impaired in intoxication with sarin and similar OPs. There was a reduction in the immunoreactivity levels of betall-PKC and Zeta-PKC in the frontal cortex (up to 24 h), and in the striatum (up to 5 days) post-sarin exposure, in contrast to the increase in the immunoreactivity of both enzymes in the hippocampus or thalamus, following a IxLDso exposure to sarin. These observations suggest a role for both conventional and atypical PKC isozymes in OP-induced neuropathy in the rat and further support their role in cell death (Bloch-Shilderman et al., 2005). 

Fig. 6. Radial arm maze (a) and T-maze (b). Mazes are classic tools for the assessment of behavior, learning and memory. Modern mazes are often automated using photocells and video monitoring. (From http //www.colinst.com with permission.)...

Impacts on brain function (including changes in behavior, learning and memory) have been observed in rodents exposed to Penta- BDE products either in the womb (in utero) or soon after birth (post-natally). Some of these effects persisted and worsened into adulthood. The lowest dose that produced developmental neurotoxic effects in these studies is 0.8 mg/kg" (p.21). 

Stress assay Wing expansion behavior Learning and memory behavior Life span Pain reaction Phototaxis Retinal degeneration Seizure and tremor behavior Visual discrimination... 

Iversen (1991) stresses the need for some in vivo testing for neurotoxicity and emphasizes the value of sensitive behavioral tests. Behavioral tests are described for mice and rats, which provide measures of mood, posture, CNS excitation, motor coordination, sedation, exploration, responsiveness, learning, and memory function. Such assays can function as primary screens for neurotoxicity before adopting a stepwise scheme of in vitro tests to discover more about the initial site of action of neurotoxic compounds. It is argued that the requirement for animal testing can be drastically reduced by adopting structured in vitro protocols such as these. 

The role of CREB in learning and memory was first anticipated by screening Drosophila mutants in a learning and memory task in which flies were behaviorally tested... 

Addiction may result from inappropriate neuronal plasticity. As discussed in earlier sections of this chapter, drugs of abuse activate the same neuronal pathways as natural reinforcers. However, they do so in a strong and unregulated manner that is hypothesized to lead to abnormal engagement of learning and memory mechanisms, ultimately producing abnormal plasticity in neuronal circuits involved in motivation and decision-making. As a result, the addict becomes narrowly focused on compulsive, habitual behaviors associated with the addictive... 

Central Nervous System. Behavioral pharmacology, learning and memory, specific ligand binding, neurochemistry, visual, auditory and/or electrophysiology examinations, and so on. 

Vanderwolf CH, Cain DP (1994) The behavioral neurobiology of learning and memory a conceptual reorientation. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 19 264-297 Villarreal DM, Do V, Haddad E, Derrick BE (2002) NMDA receptor antagonists sustain LTP and spatial memory active processes mediate LTP decay. Nat Neurosci 5 48-52 Walker DL, Ressler KJ, Lu KT, Davis M (2002) Facilitation of conditioned fear extinction by systemic administration or intra-amygdala infusions of d-cycloserine as assessed with fear-potentiated startle in rats. J Neurosci 22 2343-2351 Wallenstein GV, Eichenbaum H, Hasselmo ME (1998) The hippocampus as an associator of discontiguous events. Trends Neurosci 21 317-323 Wehner JM, Radcliffe RA, Bowers BJ (2001) Quantitative genetics and mouse behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 24 845-867... 

Engelmann M, Wotjak CT, Ludwig M, Neimiann ID, Landgraf R (1996) Behavioral consequences of intracerebral vasopressin and oxytocin focus on learning and memory. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 20 341-358... 

---