| Abstract:
Objective. Previous studies indicate that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) probably is
involved in emotional learning and modulation of spatial memory. The aim of the
present study was to determine the role of BLA in hippocampal dependent spatial
memory in dark and light conditions in rotating arena in place avoidance learning
(PAL) tasks.
Materials and Methods. Male Long-Evans strain rats (280-320 gr) used in this study
(n=12 in 12 groups). At the first implanted guide cannulae bilaterally aimed at the BLA
were placed. One week later they trained to PAL in rotating arena. Bilateral injections
of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) (5ng/O.6ul/side) or saline were used to the BLA 60 min before,
immediately after training and 60 min before retrieval test. Spatial memory were
assessed during a 30-min extinction trial 24 h later by two criteria: 1) The time to the
first entry and 2) The number of entrances into the punished sector.
Results. The results indicated that injection of TTX impaired acquisition, consolidation
and retrieval of spatial memory in dark and light area significantly (P<0.01).
Conclusion. Findings indicated that BLA have important role in aquisition,
consolidation and retrieval of hippocampal dependent spatial memory in dark and light
space and rotating arena of PAL.
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