The GABAA antagonist bicuculline attenuates progesterone-induced memory impairments in middle-aged ovariectomized rats.

摘要: In women, high levels of natural progesterone have been associated with detrimental cognitive effects via the “maternal amnesia” phenomenon as well in controlled experiments. aged ovariectomized (Ovx) rats, has shown to impair cognition and impact GABAergic system brain regions. Here, we tested whether is a mechanism progesterone’s Ovx rat by attempting reverse progesterone-induced impairments concomitant treatment GABAA antagonist, bicuculline. Thirteen month old rats received plus daily vehicle, progesterone, bicuculline, or progesterone+bicuculline injections beginning two weeks prior testing. The water radial-arm maze was used evaluate spatial working reference memory. During learning, administered made more memory errors than those this impairment reversed addition transient all animals performed similarly end regular On last day testing, six-hour delay retention. Progesterone-treated were only group increase delay; bicuculline prevented impairment. groups not impaired delay. current rodent findings corroborate research reporting detriments on women aging rat. Moreover, data suggest that is, part, related system. Given included numerous clinically-prescribed hormone therapies contraceptives (e.g. micronized), synthetic analogs, further warranted better understand parameters mechanism(s) impairments.