Learning and Memory Enhancement by Neuropeptides.

摘要

As detailed in previous reports, the major purpose of this work, is to study biochemical mechanisms responsible for the toxic effects of the organometal neurotoxin trimethyltin (TMT) on learning, in order to develop strategies for prevention or alleviation of toxicity. Trialkyltins are used as stabilizers for plastics, or as biocides for control of fungus, barnacles, bacteria and insects. These compounds are anti-fouling toxicants of specific interest to the Navy, because of potential of estuarine contamination from naval vessels, and as a danger to seamen on ships carrying paint containing these compounds, since desalinated water used on these vessels may become contaminated. These compounds are also of interest as a model treatments for study of learning/memory dysfunction resulting from exposure to other toxicants (e.g. other heavy metals, organic solvents), or arising from disease states. We study learning in an autoshaping task, in which rats learn to touch a lever to obtain food. During the past year, three papers have been published. (aw)