Frontiers in Neuroscience (Oct 2019)

A Single Dose of Methylprednisolone Improves Aversive Memory Consolidation and Extinction in Rats

  • Rithiele Gonçalves,
  • Liane da Silva de Vargas,
  • Pâmela B. Mello-Carpes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.01167
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Aversive memory is essential for survival, but in some situations its exacerbation can be potentially dangerous. There are several ways to modulate memory, among them, through stress-related hormones physiological release or administration of exogenous substances analogous to them. Recently, our group shown that a chronic treatment with a low dose of methylprednisolone (MP) is able to promote memory persistence in rats. Herein, we evaluate if a single intraperitoneal (IP) dose of MP (5 mg/kg) is able to modulate aversive memory consolidation and promote memory persistence and extinction in rats. For this, two experiments were carried out. In the first one, we demonstrated that a single IP MP administration in specific times after inhibitory avoidance (IA) training improved memory consolidation and persistence. In the second experiment, we verified that a single IP MP administration 2 h after IA extinction training promoted memory extinction. This results suggest a possible new clinical applicability for MP on the aversive memory disorders, as post-traumatic stress.

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