The effect of medial prefrontal cortex electrical stimulation on passive avoidance memory in healthy and addict rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a part of brain reward system involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. The mPFC receives strong dopaminergic innervations from ventral tegmental area (VTA) that comprises a portion of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MLDS), and sends glutamatergic projections to both the VTA and nucleus accumbens (NAc). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, male Wister rats weighing 250-350 g were used. The effect of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) electrical stimulation with different current intensities (25, 50,100, and 150 muA) in healthy and addicted rats on passive avoidance memory was studied here. RESULTS: This study showed that 25 and 150 muA had no effect on improving avoidance memory in rats. Current intensities of 50 and 100 muA differ significantly with 25 and 150 muA. The PL of mPFC contributes to memory processing. CONCLUSIONS: The electrical stimulations of prelimbic with 50 and 100 muA current intensities were improved avoidance memory in addicted rats while learning impairment is caused in healthy rats while the electrical stimulation with these used current intensities.