The hippocampal opioid system : role in spatial learning

TL;DRAbstract

<p>The main aim of the present thesis was to study the role of the endogenous hippocampal opioid system, and in particular, the role of dynorphin B and nociceptin, in spatial learning.</p><p>The effects of bilateral infusion (using chronic cannulae) of dynorphin B into the dorsal hippocampus (CA3-region), an area containing a high number of dynorphin-containing neurons, were examined in the Morris swim-maze, a spatial task dependent on hippocampal functioning. In this test, rats are required to locate a hidden platform in a pool filled with water using extra-maze cues. The results show that dynorphin B impaired spatial learning at all doses tested (1, 3.3 and 10 nmol/rat) and reached its maximum effect already at the 1 nmol/rat dose. Retention performance was not affected indicating that dynorphin B mainly affects acquisition but not memory processes. The impairing effect was blocked by the selective [kappa]-antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, indicative of [kappa]-recep

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