This study aims at providing an insight into early handling procedures on learning and memory perfor-mance in adult female rats. Early handling procedures were started on post-natal day 2 until 21, andconsisted in 15 min, daily separations of the dams from their litters. Assessment of declarative memorywas carried out in the novel-object recognition task; spatial learning, reference- and working memorywere evaluated in the Morris water maze (MWM). Our results indicate that early handling induced anenhancement in: (1) declarative memory, in the object recognition task, both at 1 h and 24 h intervals; (2)reference memory in the probe test and working memory and behavioral flexibility in the “single-trialand four-trial place learning paradigm” of the MWM. Short-term separation by increasing maternal carecauses a dampening in HPA axis response in the pups. A modulated activation of the stress responsemay help to protect brain structures, involved in cognitive function. In conclusion, this study showsthe long-term effects of a brief maternal separation in enhancing object recognition-, spatial reference-and working memory in female rats, remarking the impact of early environmental experiences and theconsequent maternal care on the behavioral adaptive mechanisms in adulthood.

Plescia, F., Marino, R., Navarra, M., Gambino, G., Brancato, A., Sardo, P., et al. (2014). Early handling effect on female rat spatial and non-spatial learningand memory. BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES, 103, 9-16 [10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.011].

Early handling effect on female rat spatial and non-spatial learningand memory

PLESCIA, Fulvio;MARINO, Rosa Anna Maria;Gambino, Giuditta;BRANCATO, Anna;SARDO, Pierangelo;CANNIZZARO, Carla
2014-01-01

Abstract

This study aims at providing an insight into early handling procedures on learning and memory perfor-mance in adult female rats. Early handling procedures were started on post-natal day 2 until 21, andconsisted in 15 min, daily separations of the dams from their litters. Assessment of declarative memorywas carried out in the novel-object recognition task; spatial learning, reference- and working memorywere evaluated in the Morris water maze (MWM). Our results indicate that early handling induced anenhancement in: (1) declarative memory, in the object recognition task, both at 1 h and 24 h intervals; (2)reference memory in the probe test and working memory and behavioral flexibility in the “single-trialand four-trial place learning paradigm” of the MWM. Short-term separation by increasing maternal carecauses a dampening in HPA axis response in the pups. A modulated activation of the stress responsemay help to protect brain structures, involved in cognitive function. In conclusion, this study showsthe long-term effects of a brief maternal separation in enhancing object recognition-, spatial reference-and working memory in female rats, remarking the impact of early environmental experiences and theconsequent maternal care on the behavioral adaptive mechanisms in adulthood.
2014
Plescia, F., Marino, R., Navarra, M., Gambino, G., Brancato, A., Sardo, P., et al. (2014). Early handling effect on female rat spatial and non-spatial learningand memory. BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES, 103, 9-16 [10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.011].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/95418
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