Effects of Early Training and Nicotine Treatment on the Performance of Male NMRI Mice in the Water Maze. Issue 4 (2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vicens, Paloma; Carrasco, M. Carmen; Redolat, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Neural plasticity. Volume 10:Issue 4(2003)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2003
• Subjects: Neuroplasticity -- Periodicals; 612.82
• DOI: 10.1155/NP.2003.303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5904

Abstract

Abstract : This research aimed to evaluate the effect of nicotine treatment and prior training on a spatial learning task in differently aged NMRI male mice. In a longitudinal study, mice were randomly assigned to one of 14 experimental groups receiving different combinations of chronically injected nicotine (0.35 mg/kg) administered for 10 days (5 days before and during 5 days acquisition of task) or control treatments and training in the water maze at different ages. The mice displayed shorter escape latencies when evaluated at 6 and 10 months than when tested in this task at 2 months for the first time, demonstrating that early training preserves performance in the water maze up to 8 months after the initial experience. Nicotine treatment did not significantly change performance in the water maze at any age tested. Early practice in a spatial reference memory task appears to have lasting consequences and can potentially contribute to preventing some age-related spatial learning deficits.