D-057 | Fear memory acquisition in the retrosplenial cortex: the role of alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Verónica Pastor | Email: verpastor@fmed.uba.ar

Verónica Pastor^1°, Beatriz Agustina Ortega^1°2°, Cynthia Katche^1°2°

^1° Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN; UBA-CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
^2° Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA); Buenos Aires, Argentina

The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a key brain area involved in memory processing which deteriorates in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (a7nAChRs) are key players in plasticity processes, including those necessary for memory processing. We have previously shown that the antagonism of a7nAChRs with methyllycaconitine (MLA) in the RSC before an inhibitory avoidance (IA) training enhanced memory expression 24h later. Considering that retrosplenial a7nAChRs are mainly expressed in gabaergic neurons, we hypothesized that the infusion of MLA in the RSC could be decreasing gabaergic activity. Thus, we asked if the activation of gabaergic receptors in the presence of MLA could prevent IA memory acquisition enhancement.Our results support this hypothesis, identifying a potential mechanism for a7nAChR modulation of an aversive memory processing in the RSC and highlighting the potential of targeting a7nAChRs for therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing cognitive function in early Alzheimer’s disease.