Activation of 5‐HT7 receptor by administration of its selective agonist, LP‐211, modifies explorative‐curiosity behavior in rats in two paradigms which differ in visuospatial parameters. (1st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carbone, Cristiana; Adinolfi, Annalisa; Cinque, Stefano; Lacivita, Enza; Alleva, Enrico; Leopoldo, Marcello; Adriani, Walter
• Other Names: Di Giovanni Giuseppe guestEditor.; Crunelli Vincenzo guestEditor.; Rizzolatti Giacomo guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics. Volume 24:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 712
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01
• Subjects: cognitive memory -- emotional memory -- novelty preference -- novelty seeking -- synaptic plasticity; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/cns.12812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-5930

Abstract

Summary: Aims: The serotonin 7 receptor (5‐HT7R) subtype, coded by Htr7 gene, is broadly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) with clear involvement in behavioral functions such as learning/memory, regulation of mood, and circadian rhythms. In this study, we assessed effects of 5‐HT7R stimulation by administration of its selective agonist, LP‐211 (0.25 mg/kg i.p.), in adult Wistar‐Han rats. Methods: We used two different explorative‐curiosity tests. Drug was administered either before one side‐chamber familiarization (CF/V group) or immediately after it, to act on consolidation of familiarization (V/CF group). Results: Exp. 1 for novelty seeking in black/white boxes (BWB), with door opening after 5 minutes in the familiar chamber, showed that (i) time spent in the novel environment (significantly higher than in familiar chamber for controls) is enhanced in V/CF group (potentiated recognition for a "visual" consolidation) and not different in CF/V group; (ii) activity and chamber transitions, made by CF/V rats, are significantly higher than for other groups (interference on recognition for a "spatial" acquisition). Exp. 2 for novelty preference in D‐ vs L‐shaped chambers (D/L), with start from neutral center, gave different results: (i) time spent in the novel environment by CF/V group is significantly higher than other groups (potentiated "cognitive" acquisition); (ii) chamber transitions made by V/CF group are significantly higher than other groups (potentiated "emotional" consolidation). Conclusion: These apparently conflicting results may reflect LP‐211 effects on visual vs spatial memory (D/L apparatus has more pronounced hippocampal components than BWB). However, further experiments are needed to analyze more in depth the mechanisms involved.