Early Postnatal Neuroactive Steroid Manipulation Differentially Affects Recognition Memory and Passive Avoidance Performance in Male Rats
July 2020
in “
Behavioural Brain Research
”
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Studysummary This study found that neonatal administration of finasteride affected adult learning and memory in rats, enhancing object recognition but impairing aversive learning, with no effect on anxiety-like behavior.
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The study explored how altering neuroactive steroids (NAS) in early postnatal male rats affected their learning and memory. Finasteride, which inhibits 5α-reductase, and allopregnanolone (ALLO) were administered to rats from postnatal days 5-9. In adulthood, finasteride-treated rats showed improved recognition memory in the object recognition test (ORT) but impaired aversive learning in the passive avoidance test (PA), with no change in anxiety-like behavior. ALLO treatment did not impact recognition memory or aversive learning but increased exploration in familiar settings, suggesting reduced neophobia. The study, which involved 78 male Wistar rats, concluded that early postnatal NAS manipulation has different effects on learning types, particularly in relation to the emotional content of the task.
