“School of Cognitive Sciences”

Back to Papers Home
Back to Papers of School of Cognitive Sciences

Paper   IPM / Cognitive Sciences / 8824
School of Cognitive Sciences
  Title:   Nicotine improves morphine-induced impairment of memory: possible involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the nucleus accumbens
  Author(s): 
1.  M. Nouri
2.  A. Rezayof
3.  A. Haeri-Rohani
4.  M.R. Zarrindast
5.  S. Ahmadi
  Status:   Published
  Journal: Dev Neurobiol
  Vol.:  67
  Year:  2007
  Pages:   1118-27
  Supported by:  IPM
  Abstract:
The possible involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in nicotine's effect on impairment of memory by morphine was investigated. A passive avoidance task was used for memory assessment in male Wistar rats. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg) after training impaired memory performance in the animals when tested 24 h later. Pretest administration of the same doses of morphine reversed impairment of memory because of post-training administration of the opioid. Moreover, administration of nicotine (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg, s.c.) before the test prevented impairment of memory by morphine (5 mg/kg) given after training. Impairment of memory performance in the animals because of post-training administration of morphine (5 mg/kg) was also prevented by pretest administration of a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.75 and 1 microg/rat). Interestingly, an ineffective dose of MK-801 (0.5 microg/rat) in combination with low doses (0.075 and 0.1 mg/kg) of nicotine, which had no effects alone, synergistically improved memory performance impaired by morphine given after training. On the other hand, pretest administration of NMDA (0.1 and 0.5 microg/rat), which had no effect alone, in combination with an effective dose (0.4 mg/kg, s.c.) of nicotine prevented the improving effect of nicotine on memory impaired by pretreatment morphine. The results suggest a possible role for NMDA receptors of the NAc in the improving effect of nicotine on the morphine-induced amnesia.

Download TeX format
back to top
scroll left or right