Selective immunotoxic lesions of basal forebrain cholinergic cells: Effects on learning and memory in rats.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0033939
• Publication Date: 2013-10-15T16:29:38Z
• Authors: Mark G. Baxter; David J. Bucci; Linda K. Gorman; Ronald G. Wiley; Michela Gallagher
• Keywords: Substantia innominata; Nucleus basalis; Saporin

Male Long-Evans rats were given injections of either 192 IgG-saporin, an apparently selective toxin for basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (LES), or vehicle (CON) into the medial septum and vertical limb diagonal band (MS/VDB) bilaterally nucleus basalis magnocellularis substantia innominata (nBM/SI). Place discrimination in Morris water maze assessed spatial learning, a trial-unique matching-to-place task memory place information over varying delays. MS/VDB-LES nBM/SI-LES not impaired relative to CON acquisition discrimination, but mildly performance even at shortest delay, suggesting nonmnemonic deficit. These results contrast with effects less lesions, which have been taken support role learning memory.