α7 Nicotinic Receptor Subunits Are Not Necessary for Hippocampal-Dependent Learning or Sensorimotor Gating: A Behavioral Characterization of Acra7-Deficient Mice

摘要: The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit is abundantly expressed in the hippocampus and contributes to hippocampal cholinergic synaptic transmission suggesting that it may contribute learning memory. There also evidence for an association between levels of nAChR sensorimotor gating impairments. To examine role nAChRs memory gating, Acra7 homozygous mutant mice their wild-type littermates were tested a Pavlovian conditioned fear test, spatial Morris water task, prepulse inhibition paradigm. Exploratory activity, motor coordination, startle habituation evaluated. displayed same contextual auditory-cue condition as mice. Similarly, there no differences performance Finally, similar inhibition. Other behavioral responses normal, except anxiety-related behavior open-field test. results this study show absence has little impact on base-line responses. Future studies will contribution enhancement following nicotine treatments.