• Azam Moshfegh, Parvin Babaei, Shahrbano Oryan, Bahram Soltani, and Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast.
• Department of Biology, Sciences and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
• Neurosci. Lett. 2011 Feb 4;489(2):69-73.

AbstractIn the present study, the possible role of α1-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on WIN55,212-2-induced amnesia in male Wistar rats has been evaluated. As a model of learning, a step-down passive avoidance task was used. Results indicated that post-training or pre-test intra-CA1 administration of WIN55,212-2 (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) reduced the step-down latency, showing an amnestic response. Amnesia produced by post-training WIN55,212-2 (0.5 μg/rat) was reversed by pre-test administration of the same drug dose. Interestingly, pre-test intra-CA1 administration of α1-noradrenergic agonists, phenylephrine alone or with an ineffective dose of WIN55,212-2 (0.25 μg/rat) reversed post-training WIN55,212-2 (0.5 μg/rat)-induced retrieval impairment. On the other hand, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of an α1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin (0.5 μg/rat), 2 min before administration of WIN55,212-2 (0.5 μg/rat) inhibited the pre-test WIN55,212-2 response. It may be concluded that α1-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampal CA1 regions play an important role in WIN55,212-2-induced amnesia and restoration of memory by pre-test WIN55,212-2 administration.Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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