Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Gabriel Fernandes Borges | Email: gabriel.borges@edu.isd.org.br
Gabriel Fernandes Borges1°2°, Thays Alves Monteiro1°, Beatriz do Nascimento Pinheiro Moura1°, Andressa Radiske1°, Maria Carolina Gonzalez1°
1° Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience
2° Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Recognition memory allows the identification of previously encountered items or situations as familiar, being essential for declarative memory function. Pharmacological strategies that enhance recognition memory could play a crucial role in the treatment of cognitive disorders. Recent studies showed that Rac1 activity modulates memory formation and decay by regulating spine morphology and synaptic efficacy. In this study, we investigated the effects of systemic administration of the Rac1 inhibitor 1A-116 on object recognition memory retention in Wistar rats using weak and strong training protocols to induce short- and long-lasting memories. We found that 1A-116 (20 mg/kg; i.p.) given immediately after weak training facilitated memory formation and retention in young adult male and female rats, as well as in middle-age subjects. Furthermore, following a strong training protocol, 1A-116 administration promoted memory persistence for at least 28 days. Importantly, 1A-116 treatment did not affect locomotor activity or memory retrieval. Additionally, we observed that 1A-116 increased c-Fos expression and gamma activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that 1A-116 modulates hippocampal activity and is a promising strategy for treating memory-related disorders.