The effect of pergolide on cognitive performance of young and middle-aged rats

Küçükatay V., Balkan S., Yaras N., Yargicoglu P., Agar A.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, vol.112, no.9, pp.1027-1036, 2002 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 112 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2002
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00207450290026021
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1027-1036
  • Keywords: aging, cognition, pergolide, rat, FEMALE LEFT-HANDERS, RADIAL-ARM MAZE, NONVERBAL INTELLIGENCE, ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE, FAMILIAL SINISTRALITY, MEMORY CONSOLIDATION, RECEPTOR MECHANISMS, DOPAMINE-RECEPTORS, BASAL FOREBRAIN, MICE INVOLVE
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of pergolide, a dopaminergic agonist, on cognitive ability in young and middle-aged rats using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Pergolide 0.5/mg/day IP was administered to young and middle-aged rats, whereas only vehicle was given to their age-matched controls. During the acquisition period of 6 days, young rats showed normal escape latency pattern, which was not affected by pergolide. Middle-aged rats, however, showed poor escape latency pattern, and this poor pattern was also not affected by pergolide. On the 7th day, pergolide decreased retention time of young rats compared to control values. Middle-aged rats also showed reduced retention time. In contrast to the findings of young rats, retention time was not affected by pergolide in middle-aged rats. We concluded that pergolide does not alter escape latency at any age. It has a negative effect on retention time of young rats, whereas it has no effect on middle-aged ones.