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Hyperinsulinemia in rats causes impairment of spatial memory and learning with defects in hippocampal synaptic plasticity by involvement of postsynaptic mechanisms

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An Erratum to this article was published on 12 May 2013

Abstract

In addition to its peripheral metabolic functions, insulin acts as a central neuromodulator and affects synaptic plasticity of the hippocampal neurons. In this study, hyperinsulinemic obese zucker rats (OZR) with autosomal recessive mutation of the fa-gene were tested in water maze for learning and memory. The animals were then decapitated and hippocampal slices were prepared for electrophysiological examination. In the water maze test, the OZR performed less efficient than their counter lean control rats (LCR). The OZR showed prolonged latency and increased distance swam to reach a hidden platform. In the electrophysiological experiments, the hippocampal slices were examined for paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), long-term potentiation (LTP), and depression expression. The results showed that while the PPF (thus mainly the presynaptic mechanisms) was not affected, the LTP expression (169.9 ± 16.6 vs. 310.7 ± 2.4 %) and the synaptic plasticity range (69.2 vs. 211.2 %) were both reduced in the OZR animals compared to the LCR. It is concluded that hyperinsulinemia in the OZR resulted in defects in hippocampal synaptic plasticity associated with deterioration in spatial learning and memory functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neurosciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Amer Kamal, Geert M. J. Ramakers, Willem Hendrik Gispen & Geert Jan Biessels

  2. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, P.O. Box 26671, Manama, Bahrain

    Amer Kamal & Amer Al Ansari

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  1. Amer Kamal
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  2. Geert M. J. Ramakers
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  3. Willem Hendrik Gispen
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  4. Geert Jan Biessels
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  5. Amer Al Ansari
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Correspondence to Amer Al Ansari.

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Kamal, A., Ramakers, G.M.J., Gispen, W.H. et al. Hyperinsulinemia in rats causes impairment of spatial memory and learning with defects in hippocampal synaptic plasticity by involvement of postsynaptic mechanisms. Exp Brain Res 226, 45–51 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-013-3409-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-013-3409-4

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