EFFECT OF INTRACEREBROVENTRICULAR INJECTION OF N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE ON LEARNING AND MEMORY IN MICE

In one trial passive avoidance response in mice, the effect of N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) on acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of memory were observed after icy administration of 10 ng, 1 ng or 0. 1 ng/mouse. The results showed that NMDA 10 ng/mouse could promote the consolidation of memory in step-down test and 1 ng/mouse could promote the retrieval of memory in step-through test. NMDA 1 ng/mouse significantly improved the retrieval impairment induced by 30% alcohol and the consolidation impairment induced by NaNO₂ in step-down and stepthrough tests. The effect of NMDA on memory was antagonized by NMDA receptor antagonist, AP5. These results provide direct evidence for the action of NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor on memory.