Abstract:
ABSTRACT
CB1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST AM-251: EFFECT
ON SPATIAL MEMORY IN MALE MICE
by
Brannon Micheal Green
Master of Arts in Psychology
Psychological Science Option
California State University, Chico
Summer 2009
The current study investigated the effect of the endocannabinoid system on
spatial memory in mice. We hypothesized that a cannabinoid antagonist would have a
negative impact on spatial memory retrieval and reacquisition by interrupting normal
cannabinoid activity associated with these spatial memory functions. C57BL/6 male mice
were brought to criterion on the Morris Water Maze and acutely treated with either the
antagonist or vehicle, and were retested on the Morris Water Maze to assess retrieval.
Half of these mice were then chronically treated with the antagonist, vehicle or saline.
Latency times on the Morris Water Maze were compared over 10 days to evaluate the
effect on memory reacquisition. The cannabinoid antagonist had a small, but statistically
significant, negative impact on retrieval, although it did not significantly affect
reacquisition.
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