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Effects of chemotherapeutic agents on learning and memory in mice
Author(s) -
Foley John J.,
Raffa Robert,
Walker Ellen A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a783-c
Subject(s) - antagonist , pharmacology , shaping , methotrexate , tamoxifen , medicine , psychology , breast cancer , developmental psychology , cancer , receptor
To assess the possible cognitive effects of chemotherapeutic agents, we directly tested these agents in a mouse model of learning and memory called autoshaping. On Day 1, mice were injected with vehicle, tamoxifen, methotrexate and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The mice were presented a tone on a variable‐interval schedule. If a mouse made a center‐hole, nose‐poke during the tone, a dipper with Ensure solution was presented and the tone was turned off. If no response was made during the tone the dipper was automatically presented at the end of a 6 s period. Each session lasts 2 h or until 20 nose pokes were recorded (acquisition). On Day 2, mice were placed back into the chambers for 2 hours or until 20 nose pokes were recorded (retention of the previously learned response). Antiestrogen agent tamoxifen administered on Day 1 produced a deficit on mean latency acquisition, reinforced response rates, and general activity rate. On Day 2, tamoxifen produced an increase in latency compared to vehicle. Folic acid antagonist methotrexate administered on Day 1 failed to alter acquisition or reinforced response rates. General activity rate was altered by methotrexate. Pyrimidine antagonist 5‐FU administered on Day 1 failed to alter mean latency acquisition, response rates or general activity rates. These data demonstrate that the autoshaping procedure is differentially sensitive to the effects of three chemotherapeutic agents.