Mineau_1994_Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav_49_363

Reference

Title : The effects of physostigmine and scopolamine on memory for food caches in the black-capped chickadee - Mineau_1994_Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav_49_363
Author(s) : Mineau P , Boag PT , Beninger RJ
Ref : Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior , 49 :363 , 1994
Abstract :

The possible effects of anticholinesterases on the central nervous system and, in particular, on learning and memory, have generated considerable interest. Food caching in the black-capped chickadee is an excellent natural paradigm of spatial working memory. Its susceptibility to cholinergically active drugs was explored in the present study. Our ultimate objective was to use food caching as a natural paradigm for the study of the consequences in birds of sublethal exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides. Biochemical analyses showed that administration of the anticholinesterase physostigmine (eserine) led to a short-lived effect, with recovery of brain cholinesterase levels already underway 5 min after an intramuscular injection. Birds administered the anticholinergic scopolamine before caching demonstrated significantly impaired recall compared to birds given physostigmine. Birds given saline only had an intermediate performance. Giving the drugs between caching and recovery had no measurable effect. These findings suggest that effects of cholinergic agents on cache recovery in chickadees are comparable to their effects in tests of working memory in mammals.

PubMedSearch : Mineau_1994_Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav_49_363
PubMedID: 7824551

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Citations formats

Mineau P, Boag PT, Beninger RJ (1994)
The effects of physostigmine and scopolamine on memory for food caches in the black-capped chickadee
Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior 49 :363

Mineau P, Boag PT, Beninger RJ (1994)
Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior 49 :363