Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-9-28
pubmed:abstractText
The long-term storage of information in the brain known as long-term memory (LTM) depends on a variety of intracellular signaling cascades utilizing calcium (Ca2+) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate as second messengers. In particular, Ca(+2)/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) activity has been proposed to be necessary for the transition from short-term memory to LTM. Because the neurobehavioral toxicity of lead (Pb(+2)) has been associated to its interference with normal Ca(+2) signaling in neurons, we studied its effects on spatial learning and memory using a hippocampal-dependent discrimination task. Adult rats received microinfusions of either Na+ or Pb(+2) acetate in the CA1 hippocampal subregion before each one of four training sessions. A retention test was given 7 days later to examine LTM. Results suggest that intrahippocampal Pb(+2) did not affect learning of the task, but significantly impaired retention. The effects of Pb(+2) selectively impaired reference memory measured in the retention test, but had no effect on the general performance because it did not affect the latency to complete the task during the test. Finally, we examined the effects of Pb(+2) on the induction of hippocampal Ca(+2)/phospholipid-dependent PKC activity during acquisition training. The results showed that Pb(+2) interfered with the learning-induced activation of Ca(+2)/phospholipid-dependent PKC on day 3 of acquisition. Overall, our results indicate that Pb(+2) causes cognitive impairments in adult rats and that such effects might be subserved by interference with Ca(+2)-related signaling mechanisms required for normal LTM.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0041-008X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
200
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
27-39
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Lead (Pb(+2)) impairs long-term memory and blocks learning-induced increases in hippocampal protein kinase C activity.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00931-3360, Puerto Rico.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.