Spatial memory dissociations in mice lacking GluR1.

Journal article

Gene-targeted mice lacking the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 (GluR-A) have deficits in hippocampal CA3-CA1 long-term potentiation. We now report that they showed normal spatial reference learning and memory, both on the hidden platform watermaze task and on an appetitively motivated Y-maze task. In contrast, they showed a specific spatial working memory impairment during tests of non-matching to place on both the Y-maze and an elevated T-maze. In addition, successful watermaze and Y-maze reference memory performance depended on hippocampal function in both wild-type and mutant mice; bilateral hippocampal lesions profoundly impaired performance on both tasks, to a similar extent in both groups. These results suggest that different forms of hippocampus-dependent spatial memory involve different aspects of neural processing within the hippocampus.

Authors: Reisel, D; Bannerman, D; Schmitt, W; Deacon, R; Flint, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nature neuroscience
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 868-873
• Publication date: 2002-09-01
• DOI: 10.1038/nn910
• EISSN: 1546-1726
• ISSN: 1097-6256
• Language: English
• Keywords: Receptors, AMPA; Hippocampus; Neural Pathways; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; Long-Term Potentiation; Maze Learning; Mutation; Female; Memory Disorders; Synaptic Transmission; Mice; Synapses; Animals; Neurons; Space Perception; Mice, Knockout