Evaluation of the involvement of gastrin-releasing peptide system on performance of sleep deprived rats in the multiple trial inhibitory avoidance task

Abstract

One of the approaches that has been used in the search for mechanisms involved in the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation (SD) on memory, evaluates changes in neurotransmitter systems, which may involve neuropeptides. The gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) interferes in the modulation of memory. Low and moderate doses of the agonist (Bombesin peptide), or high doses of the antagonist (RC-3095) enhance performance in emotional task in rodents. This study aims to evaluate the role of GRP on the performance of rats in the multiple trial inhibitory avoidance task after sleep deprivation. In all experiments the animals are deprived of sleep by the multiple platforms method, and will undergo surgery to implant bilateral cannulas in the dorsal hippocampus in the CA1 region. The multiple trial inhibitory avoidance task will be used to assess memory, and will be held in two phases: training session and test session. The sleep deprivation will be always performed after the training session. First we will establish the shortest SD duration (24, 48, 72 or 96 hours), in animals underwent surgery to implant a cannula, which has the property of induce impairment of performance in the memory task. Established the minimum time of SD, will be performed the chronic administration (during the period PS) of the peptide Bombesin (doses of 0.01 , 0.05 and 0.25 mg) and GRP antagonist , the RC- 3095 (dose 1.3 to 10 mg). The drugs will be administered in control and sleep deprived animals and following they will be submitted to the memory assessment through the multiple trial inhibitory avoidance task (AU)