Jahanshahi, M.; Nickmahzar, E. G.; Seif-hoseini, S.; Babakordi, F. & Moharreri, A.

Cholinergic system in CNS is involved in learning and memory. Scopolamine as muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist is used for creation of memory impairment. The purpose of this study is evaluation of scopolamine-based amnesia on memory retention and the effect of this phenomenon on the number of neurons contains M1-receptors in the male Wistar rats hippocampal regions. Thirty-five male Wistar rats (200±20 g) were distributed randomly into five groups. Control group (intact samples) and 3 experimental groups with sham group (saline) were tested by the method of passive avoidance (shuttle box) in doses of 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg (intraperitoneally) as a single dose. After one week, memory test was taken from the rats. Finally, brains dissected from sacrificed rats, and then processed tissues were stained with antibody against M1 receptors (Immunohistochemistry technique) followed by counting of hippocampal CA1, CA3 and DG regions. Our results showed significant decrease in neurons contains M1-receptors in all area of hippocampus. We found that the less number of M1-neurons showed in 1 mg/kg dose of scopolamine. We concluded that scopolamine as muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist can reduce dose-dependently the density of M1-neurons in all areas of hippocampus.

KEY WORDS: M1 receptor; Scopolamine; Avoidance memory; Hippocampus; Rat.

JAHANSHAHI, M.; NICKMAHZAR, E. G.; SEIF-HOSEINI, S.; BABAKORDI, F. & MOHARRERI, A. Scopolamine reduces the density of M1 muscarinic neurons in rats' hippocampus. Int. J. Morphol., 31(4):1227-1232, 2013.