Research articleThe effects of CA1 5HT4 receptors in MK801-induced amnesia and hyperlocomotion

•Intra-CA1 administration of 5-HT4 receptor drugs impaired memory consolidation.•Intra-CA1 injection of MK801 impaired memory consolidation and increased locomotion.•RS67333 and RS23597 potentiate amnesia induced by MK801, while decreased locomotion.•The serotonergic system of CA1 may modulate MK801-induced amnesia and hyperlocomotion.

In this study, the effects of 5-HT4 receptors of the CA1 on MK801-induced amnesia and hyperlocomotion were examined. One-trial step-down method was used to assess memory retention and then, the hole-board method to assess exploratory behaviors. The results showed that post-training intra-CA1 administration of RS67333 (62.5 and 625 ng/mouse) and RS23597 (1 and 10 ng/mouse) decreased memory consolidation, but it did not alter head-dip counts, head-dip latency and locomotor activity. Similarly, MK801 (0.5 and 1 μg/mouse) decreased memory consolidation, but had no effect on head-dip counts and head-dip latency. Interestingly, it increased locomotor activity. The results also showed that post-training intra-CA1 injection of a sub-threshold dose of RS67333 (6.25 ng/mouse) or RS23597 (0.1 ng/mouse) could heighten MK801 induced amnesia and decrease locomotor activity, but it did not alter head-dip counts and head-dip latency. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the CA1 5-HT4 receptors are involved in MK801-induced amnesia and hyperlocomotion.