Research reportInteraction between gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor agents and scopolamine in the nucleus accumbens on impairment of inhibitory avoidance memory performance in rat

We designed this study to investigate effects of intra-nucleus accumbens (intra-NAc) infusions of GABAA receptors agonist (muscimol) and antagonist (bicuculline) by themselves and their interaction with scopolamine on inhibitory avoidance (IA) memory performance. This study used a step-through IA task to assess memory in male Wistar rats. The results showed that post-training intra-NAc infusions of muscimol at doses of 0.01 and 0.02 μg/rat significantly impaired IA memory performance, while bicuculline (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 μg/rat) had no effect. Post-training intra-NAc infusions of scopolamine at dose of 0.5 μg/rat impaired IA memory performance by itself, and in combination with an ineffective dose of muscimol increased impairment of IA memory performance. The results also showed that post-training intra-NAc infusions of bicuculline prevented the impairing effect of higher doses of scopolamine on IA memory performance. Pre-test intra-NAc infusions of muscimol (0.01 and 0.02 μg/rat) and bicuculline (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 μg/rat) impaired IA memory performance. The results also revealed that pre-test intra-NAc infusions of scopolamine (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) impaired IA memory performance, and its co-infusions with an ineffective dose of muscimol (0.005 μg/rat) increased impairment of IA memory performance. Interestingly, pre-test intra-NAc infusions of bicuculline impaired performance by itself, but did not prevent the impairing effect of scopolamine. It can be concluded that GABAA and muscarinic receptors of the NAc may have an interaction in modulation of IA memory performance, which may result from affecting output neurons in the NAc directly or indirectly via cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons.

► Post-training intra-NAc infusions of scopolamine impaired IA memory performance. ► Muscimol increased, while bicuculline prevented the impairing effect of scopolamine. ► Pre-test intra-NAc infusions of muscimol and bicuculline impaired IA memory performance. ► Muscimol, but not bicuculline increased impairing effect of scopolamine on IA performance. ► GABAA and muscarinic systems in the NAc may have an interaction on IA memory.