Ghrelin increases memory consolidation through hippocampal mechanisms dependent on glutamate release and NR2B-subunits of the NMDA receptor.

MARISA GHERSI,; LAURA GABACH; BUTTELER FLORENCIA; VILCAES A; SCHIÖTH HB; MARIELA F. PÉREZ; DE BARIOGLIO SR

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2014 vol. 232 p. 1843 - 1843

hrelin (Ghr) is a 28 amino acid peptide that participates in the modulation of several processes related to energy homeostasis, gastrointestinal functions, anxiety-like behavior and growth hormone releasing activity. It has been shown that in-vivo, the administration of Ghr into the hippocampus (hp) improves learning and memory in different behavioral paradigms such as the step down and object recognition tests. However, the possible mechanisms underlying this effect on memory facilitation have not yet been clarified. In this work, we combined electrophysiology, evoked glutamate release from synaptosomes, behavioral paradigms, immunohistochemical detection, pharmacological NMDAR blockade and hippocampal neurons cultures in order to examine if the increase in synaptic efficacy induced by Ghr in hp could be related to A) changes in glutamate release from synaptosomes, B) modification in [Ca2+]i levels in hippocampal neurons C) changes in the expression of the NR2B-subunits containing NM