Nature of stress: Differential effects on brain acetylcholinesterase activity and memory in rats

Effect of acute, chronic–predictable and chronic–unpredictable stress on memory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was investigated in rats. The animals were subjected to 3 type of stressors — (1) acute immobilization stress, (2) chronic–predictable stress i.e., immobilization daily for 5 consecutive days and (3) chronic–unpredictable stress that included reversal of light/dark cycle, over-night fasting, forced-swimming, immobilization and forced exercise in random unpredictable manner daily for 5 consecutive days. Learning and memory function was studied by single trial Passive avoidance test. AChE activity was assayed spectrophotometrically in the detergent (DS) and salt (SS) soluble fractions in different brain regions. Learning was obtained in acute and chronic–predictable stress groups but not in chronic–unpredictable group. Acute, chronic–predictable and chronic–unpredictable stress caused significant decrease in AChE activity in the DS fraction of cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus as compared to control. Results indicate that AChE in DS fraction is predominantly affected in stressed and stressed-trained group but cognition is affected only by chronic–unpredictable stress. In acute and chronic–predictable groups the decreased AChE activity in the hippocampal DS fraction during learning may be responsible to maintain cognitive function by enhancing the cholinergic activity.