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Nicotine improves morphine‐induced impairment of memory: Possible involvement of N ‐methyl‐ D ‐aspartate receptors in the nucleus accumbens
Author(s) -
Ahmadi Shamseddin,
Zarrindast Mohammad Reza,
HaeriRohani Ali,
Rezayof Ameneh,
Nouri Maryam
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
developmental neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.716
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1932-846X
pISSN - 1932-8451
DOI - 10.1002/dneu.20456
Subject(s) - nicotine , nucleus accumbens , nmda receptor , morphine , memory impairment , pharmacology , glutamate receptor , antagonist , systemic administration , medicine , anesthesia , receptor , neuroscience , psychology , biology , in vivo , cognition , microbiology and biotechnology
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 μg/rat). Interestingly, an ineffective dose of MK‐801 (0.5 μg/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 μg/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. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.