Glutamatergic-cholinergic interaction on memory consolidation in mice

Abstract

NMRI mice were trained in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. They were injected immediately after training with the muscarinic cholinergic agonist oxotremorine, the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist atropine, the N-methyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) noncompetitive antagonist MK-801, or with a combination of MK-801 and one of the cholinergic agents. Oxotremorine improved, while atropine and MK-801 impaired, memory retention. In addition, oxotremorine attenuated, while atropine enhanced, the effect of MK-801. The results show the existence of a glutamatergic-cholinergic interaction in modulating memory consolidation of mice.