Glucocorticoid enhancement of dorsolateral striatum-dependent habit memory requires concurrent noradrenergic activity. (17th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goodman, J.; Leong, K.-C.; Packard, M.G.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 311(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2015-12-17
• Subjects: DLS dorsolateral striatum -- DMS dorsomedial striatum -- ITI intertrial interval -- LSD Least Significant Difference; corticosterone -- propranolol -- stress -- memory -- striatum -- habit; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.10.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: The modulatory effect of glucocorticoids on hippocampus/amygdala-dependent memories requires noradrenergic activity. We examined whether glucocorticoid-noradrenergic mechanisms also interact to influence striatum-dependent habit memory. In experiment 1, post-training corticosterone enhanced habit memory in the cued water maze and water plus-maze tasks. In experiment 2, post-training β-adrenoreceptor antagonist propranolol blocked glucocorticoid enhancement of habit memory. Propranolol may block the stress-induced facilitation of striatum-dependent habit memory in human psychopathology. Abstract: Previous findings indicate that post-training administration of glucocorticoid stress hormones can interact with the noradrenergic system to enhance consolidation of hippocampus- or amygdala-dependent cognitive/emotional memory. The present experiments were designed to extend these findings by examining the potential interaction of glucocorticoid and noradrenergic mechanisms in enhancement of dorsolateral striatum (DLS)-dependent habit memory. In experiment 1, different groups of adult male Long–Evans rats received training in two DLS-dependent memory tasks. In a cued water maze task, rats were released from various start points and were reinforced to approach a visibly cued escape platform. In a response-learning version of the water plus-maze task, animals were released from opposite starting positions and were reinforced to make a consistent egocentric body-turn to reach a hidden escape platform. Immediately post-training, rats received peripheral injections of the glucocorticoid corticosterone (1 or 3 mg/kg) or vehicle solution. In both tasks, corticosterone (3 mg/kg) enhanced DLS-dependent habit memory. In experiment 2, a separate group of animals received training in the response learning version of the water plus-maze task and were given peripheral post-training injections of corticosterone (3 mg/kg), the β-adrenoreceptor antagonist propranolol (3 mg/kg), corticosterone and propranolol concurrently, or control vehicle solution. Corticosterone injections again enhanced DLS-dependent memory, and this effect was blocked by concurrent administration of propranolol. Propranolol administration by itself (3 mg/kg) did not influence DLS-dependent memory. Taken together, the findings indicate an interaction between glucocorticoid and noradrenergic mechanisms in DLS-dependent habit memory. Propranolol administration may be useful in treating stress-related human psychopathologies associated with a dysfunctional DLS-dependent habit memory system.